NHL All-Star Game 2012: Alex Ovechkin Doubtful for the All-Star Game

Tonight on the TSN segment, Insider Trading, panelists and NHL insiders Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie commented on the report that Alex Ovechkin appears doubtful for the All-Star game.

Ovechkin reportedly will take himself out of the festivities for this weekend.

Both panelists reiterated the fact that Ovechkin may feel uncomfortable being apart of the festivities this weekend due to the fact that he would be in the middle of a suspension.

Alex Ovechkin was suspended three games for leaving his feet on a hit against the Pittsburgh Penguins. While a suspension would not prohibit Ovechkin from participating in the game, the general feeling is that Ovechkin will decline.

If this were the case, the NHL could suspend him a game for declining. In the past they have suspended players for failing to attend the game.

If Ovechkin is replaced on the roster, top candidates include James Neal of the Penguins and Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers.

The NHL All-Star weekend as a whole could be impacted ratings-wise if Ovechkin does not participate. The league already lacks the star power of Sidney Crosby, so missing Ovechkin could rub the fans the wrong way.

You can view the video here. 

Would it be wrong for Ovechkin to excuse himself from the game? Would the NHL consider suspending him or would they waive it due to fact that he feels so strongly about not attending the weekend as a suspended player? It is an interesting situation and there should be a definite answer to this question by tomorrow according to Dreger and McKenzie.

Tom Urtz, Jr. is an NHL featured columnist. For NHL news, updates and alerts about players: