Nash An All-Star — Mason Snubbed

By: Jeff Little • January 7th, 2009

Rick Nash was named today to the Western Conference All-Star team, according to the roster released by the NHL at Noon EST. Unfortunately, Steve Mason was left off the squad. Here is the complete Western Roster: (*denotes fan-elected starter)

Forwards:
Jonathan Toews — Chicago *
Patrick Kane — Chicago *
Ryan Getzlaf — Anaheim *
Jarome Iginla — Calgary
Milan Hejduk — Colorado
Rick Nash — Columbus
Mike Modano — Dallas
Pavel Datsyuk — Detroit
Dustin Brown — Los Angeles
Shane Doan — Phoenix
Keith Tkachuk — St. Louis
Joe Thornton — San Jose

Defense
Scott Neidermeyer — Anaheim*
Brian Campbell — Chicago*
Sheldon Souray — Edmonton
Dan Boyle — San Jose
Shea Weber — Nashville
Nick Lidstrom — Detroit

Goal
J.S. Giguere — Anaheim*
Roberto Luongo — Vancouver
Niklas Backstrom–Minnesota

Now the politics and whining begins. While Mason clearly deserved it on merits, Luongo was made the token Canuck. What about Daniel Sedin, who is having a great year? We can go on and on, but I’d like to hear your thoughts first about who got a gift, and who got the shaft.

Eastern Conference announced tomorrow, and Young Stars on Friday. Mason had darn well better be in the Young Stars game!!!


About

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A native of the SF Bay Area, my first exposure to hockey was the SF/Oakland/California Golden Seals, including Charlie Finley and the white skates. Fast forward to the late 1980's when Gretzky and the Kings came up to the Bay Area for an exhibition game at the Oakland Coliseum Arena, for which we had glass seats. I was at the first San Jose Sharks game in the Cow Palace, and followed them for their first few pathetic years, before moving to Columbus in 1994. I attended the first pro-NHL rally downtown, and have been a season ticket holder since Day 1, wife & I are active in the Jacket Backers, and son is an avid fan as well. I cover the Jackets for Inside Hockey, and contribute regularly to a variety of hockey sites. I maintain contact with the Jackets organization, and like to dig into stories, bringing a fresh, and sometimes irreverent perspective to hockey.

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  1. Comment by Rick on 7 January 2009:

    Mase definately got the shaft! How can you not include him when his name is being put in the mix for not only the Calder but also the Vezina? Young Stars? Everyone, including team-mates & coach, are saying he's playing like a veteran. Not to mention the stats he's putting up. Still 1st in GAA & Save%, and of course…First in your programs!

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