The biggest All-Star snubs from each division
Along with the annual naming of the NHL All-Star teams comes a rite of passage that is arguably as interesting.
Related: Ranking the 2018 All-Star teams
All-Star rosters were revealed by the league on Wednesday, so, naturally, the heated debates surrounding which players perhaps should have been chosen to compete in Tampa Bay at the end of the month will now begin.
Here's a look at each division's biggest snub.
Atlantic Division
Most notable snub: Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Florida Panthers
Leaving a Panther off the list of All-Stars is never exactly a glaring omission. But, in the case of Huberdeau, the argument can be made that his name should be in the mix.
Huberdeau leads the Panthers in assists (27) and points (43), while also rocking a stellar Corsi For percentage of 54.5 in just over 20 minutes of ice time per game. Factor in that the Florida winger is red-hot of late, notching 11 points in his last eight games, and his exclusion becomes even more notable.
Snub honorable mentions: Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs; Mark Stone, RW, Ottawa Senators; Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston Bruins.
Metropolitan Division
Most notable snub: Phil Kessel, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
OK, look. You're never going to catch us spitting such blasphemy as "Sidney Crosby doesn't deserve to be in the All-Star Game," because Sid is still very much the real deal, despite an up-and-down season. However, with that said, his Penguins teammate Kessel is perhaps the sole reason Pittsburgh still finds itself clinging to playoff contention.
Kessel has been nothing short of sensational so far for the Pens, currently sitting 11th in the league scoring with 18 goals and 29 assists to go along with a positive Corsi For of 51.5.
There is no doubt Crosby deserves a spot among the best in the business, but on the back of his solid 2017-18 campaign, so does Kessel.
Snub honorable mentions: Sergei Bobrovksy, G, Columbus Blue Jackets; Jakub Voracek, RW, Philadelphia Flyers; John Carlson, D, Washington Capitals; Anders Lee, LW, New York Islanders.
Central Division
Most notable snub: Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis Blues
Tarasenko's run of consecutive All-Star nods ends at three, as the Blues sniper was left off this year's squad despite registering yet another solid offensive season of 19 goals and 25 assists, so far.
The Russian talisman might be on pace for his lowest goal output (33) since he entered the league in 2012, but Tarasenko has evolved his game this campaign, becoming a more complete player while also logging more minutes and making his teammates better around him. Case in point: Brayden Schenn is having a career year playing on Tarasenko's wing and will be making his first-ever All-Star appearance.
A collection of the league's elite just isn't complete without one of the best pure scorers in the game.
Snub notable mentions: Jamie Benn, LW, Dallas Stars; Ryan Suter, D, Minnesota Wild; Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators.
Pacific Division
Most notable snub: Jonathan Marchessault, C, Vegas Golden Knights
Seemingly unable to earn any respect despite putting up strong offensive numbers in back-to-back seasons, the criminally underrated Marchessault continues to produce despite getting little love from fans around the league.
Across the past 113 games for the Panthers and the Golden Knights, Marchessault has 46 goals and 45 assists to go along with seven game-winning tallies.
Marchessault has been Vegas' best forward so far this season on a team that has easily been the feel-good story of the year, making his omission that much more puzzling.
Snub notable mentions: John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks; Clayton Keller, C, Arizona Coyotes; Sean Monahan, C, Calgary Flames.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)