The names of the first 32 All-Stars for the 2023-24 season have been announced, which leads us to the obvious next question: Who are the biggest snubs?
We’ll get to our answers for that, as well as our predictions on the player that will be taken first overall in the All-Star player draft, along with players not among these first 32 that are a lock to make the next All-Star Game.
And remember: If you want to see one of these snubbed players (or someone else) make the team, be sure to vote at NHL.com/vote, via X or on the NHL app.
Who was the biggest snub from the initial list of 32 players?
Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: Noah Dobson. That’s nothing against Mathew Barzal. It’s just that Dobson, who is on pace for a career-high 80 points, is having the sort of season that’s not receiving enough recognition. He’s four seconds behind Drew Doughty for leading the NHL in ice time per game, and he’s seventh in total shifts.
Dobson is also a point behind Barzal for the team lead, but he’s first on the Isles in assists, 5-on-5 minutes, power-play minutes and is third among defensemen in short-handed minutes.
Victoria Matiash, NHL analyst: Artemi Panarin. Fourth in league scoring, and a prominent reason the Rangers are enjoying so much success, Panarin should be an initial shoo-in. Especially since Igor Shesterkin has been only good — not sparklingly great — thus far.
Arda Öcal, NHL broadcaster: Artemi Panarin leaps off the page for me. Igor Shesterkin was the choice for the Rangers, and he’s one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. But I’m surprised Panarin didn’t get selected over him, since Breadman has been their engine — 51 points and 23 goals in 36 games. He deserves to be there.
Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: William Nylander absolutely deserves an All-Star nod for the terrific season he’s crafted. Nylander is tied for fourth most points in the league (51), is second among Leafs in game-winning goals (three) and has been deadly at 5-on-5 and special teams. Does it make sense the NHL’s leading goal scorer Auston Matthews is the first man in for Toronto? Certainly. But that doesn’t take away from Nylander’s excellence thus far.
Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: Matthew Tkachuk. I understand there’s still this archaic notion that being selected to the NHL All-Star Game has something to do with half-season achievement or merit, when it’s actually an excuse to get your most entertaining talents together for a weekend of skills competitions and exhibition overtime hockey.
With due respect to Sam Reinhart, and further due respect to the All-Star candidacies of Aleksander Barkov and Sergei Bobrovsky, no one from the Florida Panthers is as entertaining or must-see as Matthew Tkachuk. I don’t care that he has six goals and is shooting 4.7%. If we’re not rewarding players for name recognition and their accomplishments from a year ago rather than this season, then explain Jake Oettinger making the cut?
Which player will be picked first overall in the draft?
Clark: If Connor McDavid is a captain, it’d be interesting to see him pick Connor Bedard. That said, seeing a team with McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon would be fascinating while providing a possible preview of what they could look like together if NHL players go to the Olympics in 2026.
Matiash: If McDavid and/or MacKinnon are selected as captains, Nikita Kucherov should be picked straight away. Even if the Tampa Bay forward isn’t still leading the points race by then. That’s who I would pick first, if drafting my fantasy team in the here and now. Which is similar in competitive flavor to All-Star competition.
Öcal: In a surprise twist, captain Connor McDavid and his celebrity partner, WWE superstar CM Punk, will select Connor Bedard first overall, merging like Voltron to form a Connors Mega Team.
Shilton: The first rule of drafting first is taking the best player available. Therefore, it should be Connor McDavid. However, this is a fun-first event, and it would be cool and delightfully chaotic to see the old guard No. 1 (Sidney Crosby) or future superstar (Connor Bedard) getting a look with that initial selection.
Wyshynski: Did you all forget that this game is in Toronto? Rule No. 1 of entertainment is to pop the crowd early to get them engaged. Your first overall pick is Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs.
Name one player who didn’t make the initial cut that will be in the next All-Star Game.
Clark: Kyle Connor. If he doesn’t sustain that knee injury, there’s a chance he’s either the Jets’ representative or he gets to the All-Star game through the fan vote. Connor is one of the most dangerous forwards in the game, and was once on pace to score 50 goals this season before he was injured. It might be a little bizarre to list someone with his profile, but one cannot help but think about what his season would look like if not for the injury.
Matiash: Still entering his prime at only 24 years old, Jason Robertson rebounds off what has been a ho-hum season in Dallas — by his most recent standard — and lights it back up to secure a spot one calendar year from now.
Öcal: Give me Adam Fantilli. Tied at second in points among rookies, with 23, including 11 goals. He has all the makings to be an absolute stud for CBJ for years to come. He will be selected as an All-Star in 2025, the same year we will get an outdoor game at Ohio Stadium (no inside intel here, I’m just putting it out there into the universe).
Shilton: I’m looking at Tim Stutzle. He’s had a rough go lately but there’s no denying Stutzle’s overall potential and the way he (generally) elevates Ottawa’s attack on a nightly basis. Stutzle has produced as a point-per-game player in the first half, and while the various shake-ups in Sens land haven’t helped boost his confidence, there’s so much to like about what Stutzle can accomplish in the next year to put him in that All-Star stratosphere.
Wyshynski: After scanning the list of players that were just released, pouring over analytics and indulging in several hours of deep meditation, I think one player that didn’t make the initial cut that will be an All-Star in 2025 is Cale Makar.