The first 32 players heading to the National Hockey League All-Star game have been announced.

And surprise, surprise, Connor McDavid is the Edmonton Oiler representative, now heading to his seventh all-star game.

 

Of course, this isn’t much of a surprise as McDavid is the best player to ever lace up skates. After a tough start to his season in terms of production, he is now third in the league with 53 points, while adding 14 goals.

While he’s off his point-per-game production that he was last season where he scored 64 goals and 153 points in 82 games, McDavid absolutely deserves to be Edmonton’s representative.

Thankfully, there should be at least one more Oiler attending the All-Star game as there will be an additional 12 players voted in by fans. There are arguably three deserving Oilers aside from McDavid, as Leon Draisaitl has 18 goals and 42 points in 35 games, ranking him 17th in the league.

Defenceman Evan Bouchard has blossomed into an elite offensive defenceman and has nine goals and 36 points in 35 games. Those 36 points are tied for fourth in scoring for defenceman while his 17 power play points are tied for second in the league, only behind Cale Makar.

Lastly, Zach Hyman may be the most deserving Oiler aside from McDavid. The 31-year-old is on pace to smash his career high in goals as he has 22 goals in 34 games, only 14 shy of matching his previous-high he set last season. Hyman is tied for sixth in goals this season.

Realistically, the NHL should do away with “one representative from every team”, as Calgary’s Elias Lindholm, who has eight goals and 24 points in 37 games, should not be going over Draisaitl.

To round out the Pacific Division All-Star representatives, the Anaheim Ducks have Frank Vatrano, the Los Angeles Kings have former Oilers’ netminder Cam Talbot heading to the game, Seattle has Oliver Bjorkstrand, Vancouver has Quinn Hughes, Vegas’ representative is Jack Eichel, and since every team needs a representative, the Sharks are sending Tomáš Hertl.

The 2024 NHL All-Star game takes place on February 3, and it’s sure to be exciting as the league is bringing back an old format.

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