NHL All-Star Game 2012: Biggest Voter Snubs

The 2012 NHL All-Star Game is right around the corner, and the fans were the first to chime in on who would star in the four-day spectacle in Ottawa. Coincidentally enough, four of the six players announced Thursday were Ottawa Senators.

Senators forwards Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek were voted in by fans, as were Ottawa's star defenseman Erik Karlsson and Toronto Maple Leafs defender Dion Phaneuf.

Reigning Stanley Cup MVP Tim Thomas was voted in at the goalie position in a landslide.

Most of these snubs should be getting in once the rosters have been set. But there are more than a few names that would have been more worthy of the vote instead of, say, Alfredsson, who currently ranks at a mere 49th in points so far with 31.

None of the voted-in Senators are even in the top ten in points right now.  

It's also understandable that the hometown is trying to get its own players in the events, but let's take a look at some of the league's best that the fans missed out on (in no apparent order). 

Henrik Sedin

Sedin is having another MVP-caliber season, as he's currently tied atop the league with 48 points and has a sizable lead in assists with 38. He's also played in all 41 of the Vancouver Canucks' games.

The captain has led his team to first place in the Western Conference again with 53 points, and has them poised for another Stanley Cup Finals run.

Now, someone tell me how that translates into getting voted 21st for all forwards in this year's fan voting? It may be hard to stand out when you have an identical twin on your line, but it's still a huge mishap nonetheless.  

Steven Stamkos

Stamkos has 'bolted' to top the NHL in goals with 28 (five netters ahead of second place) and seems to be the only big off-season signing tearing it up. 

He's added 17 assists to climb up to fifth in the NHL in points with 45, and the long-haired wonder is undoubtedly earning the five-year, $37.5 million contract he inked back in the offseason. 

The only problem? The Tampa Bay Lightning are tied for 12th in the Eastern Conference. But having Stamkos play like he is will keep his team a lightning bolt away from contention. 

Jimmy Howard

Tim Thomas had a magnificent end to his 2010-11 season, and the wave of popularity he rode into the All-Star voting is understandable.

But the best goaltender in the league this season is Jimmy Howard. 

Howard's save percentage is .927, second in the league for goalies who have played in 30 or more games, and his 24 wins leads the NHL—by five. His Detroit Red Wings boast a fifth-best 1.99 goals against per game. 

His play has given the Red Wings a plus-40 goal differential for the season, second only to the Boston Bruins.

Detroit is poised to rush to the top of the West (currently t-3rd with 51 points) if he keeps stuffing up the net. 

Shea Weber

Weber's primarily been making headlines for his recent concussion and trade rumors.

But his exceptional play has him atop the candidates for the Norris Trophy with 29 points (third-best among defenders) despite missing four games with a concussion. He's at .81 points per game, second among defensemen behind Karlsson.  

He stars on the NHL's most-envious D-line with Ryan Suter, and the aggressive blue-liners are keeping Nashville's postseason hopes alive as they sell out Bridgestone Arena in record-setting fashion.

Not to mention both players are among the most talked about players on the trade market with the deadline quickly approaching. 

Predators players don't typically get the attention they deserve, and it'd be absurd not to see at least one of their players making the trip to Ottawa this year. 

Claude Giroux

Giroux has also missed four games this season with a concussion, yet he is tied for first in the NHL with 48 points. He's averaging an absurd 1.41 points per game. 

The star forward leads his high-flying Philadelphia squad by 11 points and is on track to finish first in points for one of the league's best teams for two straight seasons. 

Simply put, there is no single player in the league who got snubbed more than Giroux in this year's fan voting.