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Meet the YoungStars

The NHL has switched up the format for the YoungStars game yet again, this time going to a Rookies v. Sophomores setup. The game's usually a bore, but here's a look at the rosters this time around:

Rookies

Forwards: Patrik Berglund, Mikkel Boedker, Michael Frolik, James Neal, Steven Stamkos, Kris Versteeg, Blake Wheeler

Defence: Drew Doughty, Luke Schenn

Goal: Steve Mason


Sophomores

Forwards: Nicklas Backstrom, Andrew Cogliano, Brandon Dubinsky, Bryan Little, Milan Lucic, Mason Raymond, Devin Setoguchi

Defence: Kris Letang, Marc Staal

Goal: Erik Ersberg

 

Okay, so only four defencemen total, a whole whack of forwards and two goaltenders. I'm guessing they want it to be a high-scoring affair.

Whenever it comes to this game, I'll never forget Evgeni Malkin's participation two years back. The game was more of a joke than ever, and Malkin, then speaking no English and probably having no clue what the hell was going on, lamented that he "didn't make it to the adult game."

The biggest problem with the YoungStars game? As far as I can tell, it's being used as a consolation prize for people like Nicklas Backstrom and Steve Mason, who should actually be on the "adult" teams instead of some of the washed up "stars" the league invited.

Notable rookies not at the game: Bobby Ryan, Mikhail Grabovski, Alex Goligoski, Matt Hunwick

Notable sophomores not at the game: David Krejci (!), Peter Mueller, Sam Gagner, Toby Enstrom, Tom Gilbert, David Perron, Josh Harding, Mike Smith

In other words, these teams are almost as goofy as the main ones. No Ryan, Goligoski, Hunwick and Krejci? And Stamkos is there?

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No Grabovski is the latest indignity in the Leafs dignity-free season.

Wait, what?

And no was Gagner deserves to be at the Sophomore game.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Jan 9, 2009 1:47 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Maybe

They could just invite Sergei and Mikhail to have their slappy-face fight as entertainment sometime that weekend.

by Exit716 on Jan 9, 2009 1:54 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

At least people’d watch then.

by James Mirtle on Jan 9, 2009 1:54 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I’d pay to watch them.

by article1 on Jan 10, 2009 12:14 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Krejci

The only player better than Krejci on either side of that game is Backstrom. If the idea is to spread the love around, why is Krejci staying home and not Lucic? If there’s no hitting or fighting, there’s not much reason to bring Looch anyway, breakout season or not.

The only thing stupider than these rosters is the fact that I’m angry about them…

by pstar on Jan 9, 2009 2:22 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Alzner

What about King Karl? They don’t want the former C of the gold-medal winning WJC team there? 3rd among rookie D’s in ice time and has 0 count ’em 0 penalty minutes so far. Eh…

by wittcap79 on Jan 9, 2009 2:26 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Not enough games, I’d wager. Too bad; I was rooting for the ex-Hitmen captain.

by Doogie2K on Jan 9, 2009 11:12 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

The Leafs defense has stunk for a while, and their offense is typically pretty good. Why do only Leafs defenders go to the all star game while all the forwards stay home?

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Jan 9, 2009 2:42 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Perron got hosed.

Let's go Blues!!!

by Milo. on Jan 9, 2009 6:05 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

No Krejci is just dumb.

I understand the league wants to include young stars from as many teams as possible…so why not expand the pool for this game?

And not having Krejci is a crime. Besides Mason and Nick Backstrom, Krejci’s played better than the rest of this group. His sense of space and time is excellent, he’s a strong passer and he’s an asset in all three zones.

by Danno11 on Jan 9, 2009 9:29 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Well spoken
As far as I can tell, it’s being used as a consolation prize for people like Nicklas Backstrom and Steve Mason, who should actually be on the “adult” teams instead of some of the washed up “stars” the league invited.

True, dat.

The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 10, 2009 9:04 AM CST reply actions   0 recs


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