Dallas Stars: Alexander Radulov Snubbed From 2018 NHL All-Star Game
The Dallas Stars have two players heading to the 2018 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa, Florida. But is there another Star that should have been included in the festivities as well?
Two Dallas Stars are heading to the 2018 NHL All-Star Game at the end of this month. Yes, in a division overflowing with talent and skill, the Stars found a way to land two spots on the Central Division roster.
But should there be three Stars in the lineup? There’s a strong argument for it, that’s for sure.
And I’m not talking about Jamie Benn’s All-Star status. I’m talking about the argument for Alexander Radulov’s inclusion in the All-Star Weekend.
Let me start this off by telling you why he wasn’t included on the Central Division roster. The majority of the argument simply rests on the lack of available space on the roster as well as the maximum amount of possible Stars.
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There are 11 total spots on each division’s roster, and only six of those spots can be filled by forwards. On top of that, every team in the division must send at least one representative to the All-Star Game, which means that seven of the 11 total spots are filled right off the bat. That leaves four available spots for the rest of the division.
That’s a tough window to get through, especially when you already have two players selected from your team. But for the Dallas Stars, their two representatives are well-chosen and valid.
Both defenseman John Klingberg and forward Tyler Seguin made it on the roster for Dallas. Klingberg currently leads all NHL defensemen in points by a significant margin (with 41) and is on track for a career year. Seguin, on the other hand, leads all Dallas Stars in goals with 22 and is second on the team in points with 41. He’s sharpened his skill set this season and become a much better all-around player and is a great asset to the Central Division squad.
But why not take Alexander Radulov while they’re at it? After all, the 31-year-old Russian is on pace for a career season.
Radulov currently sits fourth in points on the Stars with 40. He hit that mark yesterday against the Bruins when he scored the second goal of the game. The goal also marked a fourth straight game in which Radulov has registered a point. No. 47 has eight points in the past four contests, including two three-point affairs.
His 40 points have him sitting in ninth place in scoring among all Central Division forwards. While that obviously isn’t the top seven, it’s about more than just the points.
The incredible thing about Radulov’s performance this season is his pace. Radulov is currently on pace for 73 points this season, which would be 15 points higher than his former record. Oh, and did I mention that this is just his fourth full season in the NHL?
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After starting his career off with Nashville, Radulov moved back to Russia for a few years and played in the KHL. He returned to North America in 2016 and signed a one-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens. After putting up 54 points in 76 games and helping bolster the Montreal offense, he was one of the most sought after free agent forwards in the summer of 2017.
The Dallas Stars ended up reeling him in (much to the dismay of Montreal fans) on a five-year deal worth $6.25 million per year. That didn’t settle well with a few people who thought that the salary and/or term was a bit on the high side. But, as we know now, those worries were premature and altogether unnecessary.
Radulov’s presence on the ice for Dallas this year is not only gaining him attention in Texas, but all across the league. He has hit his stride in consistent bursts throughout the season, going off at certain parts and putting up impressive numbers. His 17 goals have him in third place on the team and are an exciting asset to his overall game.
Radulov is an exciting player to watch, and the Stars are lucky to have such an influential player on their top line. His energy and ability to take over a late-game situation and change the course through his play is almost unreal. Oh, and his celebrations after each goal he scores are pretty entertaining, too.
So why not put him in the All-Star Game? Well, it all comes down to space. While the Dallas Stars are doing relatively well this season, they sit in fourth place (the middle of the pack) in a stacked Central Division race. Every team in the Central owns a record above .500 right now. Considering the season is halfway over, that’s incredible.
With the great performances by all of these teams comes an overstocking of potential All Stars. Each team offers plenty of valid choices, which ultimately led to Radulov’s snubbing. If Dallas was first in the division and held a sizable lead, then there may be an argument for three Stars to go to Tampa. But as of now, it’s staying at two.
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Still, it’s pretty incredible what Alexander Radulov is doing in his first season in Victory Green. He’s an incredible asset for the Dallas Stars and is giving them a chance to win with each shift.
And at the end of the day, that means a lot more than an All-Star Game nomination. Maybe next year.