Darcy Kuemper lone Coyotes player named to all-star game

Darcy Kuemper of the Arizona Coyotes will have his hands full when he gets back from injury. Not only is the team in the midst of a close race for the Pacific Division title, but he also has an all-star game to attend.

Darcy Kuemper deserves to go to the all-star game. He has been the best player on the ice for the team, and has been a big reason the Coyotes have won some big games. However Kuemper is currently out with an injury, and the team has struggled in his absence. 

Arizona as of today is second in the Pacific Division, thanks to the play of Kuemper and so many of the Coyotes players. This raises the question showed a team that is succeeding only have one all-star?

The Pacific Division had two teams that were granted two players at the all-star game. The Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. While I understand that Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been having great seasons, this game is not just about individual stars. This game should reward teams that are having good seasons, not just the NHL’s favorite players. If it was about famous players a team like the New Jersey Devils would have Subban and Hughes both in the game despite Washington being the best team in the division.

Imagine if the Coyotes fans could see a player like Conor Garland in the NHL all-star game, or Christian Dvorak and his lightning speed. This game should excite fans for what is to come from the best teams the rest of the season, and it should reward the teams higher up in the standings.

Personally, I think we should go back to a full two rosters as the game, in order to increase the amount of players at the game, and because I loved the draft the teams’ captains would do on game day. One Coyotes player should remember the all-star game like this.

I am not trying to say that the NHL all-star game should just be the best teams facing off in one game, rather I just wish the NHL would treat the Coyotes with the respect they deserve. We are going to really be something, and the NHL will still be trying to figure out who is Conor Garland…