2012 NHL All-Star Game: No Crosby, No Ovechkin, No Problem

In the wake of Alexander Ovechkin’s post suspension tantrum, Sidney Crosby’s long-term concussion issues and various other player injuries, the 2012 NHL All-Star Game’s promising glow appears slightly dimmed.

Or is it? I’m not convinced.

Despite the absences of Ovechkin and Crosby, along with Jonathan Toews, Nicklas Lidstrom and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, all for various reasons, witnessing the 2012 All-Star weekend will still prove entertaining.

Seen through the proper prism, this all-star contest merits watching and maybe even being recorded on the DVR.

Russian Centers

Somebody should tell Evgeni Malkin he’s not supposed to be the number one center in Pittsburgh. The Magnitogorsk denizen’s recent point surge, 34 points in the past 21 games, puts him atop the NHL points lead (58) at the break, and makes him a serious contender for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Malkin is no stranger to dazzling during All-Star festivities, making him a mandatory watch this weekend.

Malkin’s Russian comrade, Pavel Datsyuk, is once again proving why he’s the best two-way forward the NHL has seen in some years. Relying on his gifted hands and knack for back checking, Datsyuk is playing the center position with aplomb. At 53 points, Datsyuk is poised to eclipse his entire 2010-11 output (59 points) in short order.

All-Star Captain Zdeno Chara selected Datsyuk number one overall for a reason and the early money is on the Red Wings star shining bright in front of a league-wide audience.

Someone New

Unless you’re a NHL Center Ice subscriber, you’re likely limited in terms of the depth and breadth of available NHL coverage. The ceremonies in Ottawa are ripe for fans to get acquainted with lesser-known stars from smaller markets.

Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson is a perfect example. The young Swede is 12 points ahead of the next closest competitor, Florida’s Brian Campbell, for points scored by a defenseman. Besides winning that scoring race, Karlsson could also become the fastest defenseman to reach 80 points in NHL history this season.

The problem is, Ottawa is rarely televised nationally, so Karlsson’s exploits go largely unnoticed. So pay close attention to No. 65 as he skates on home ice in Canada’s capital.

A last minute addition to the roster, James Neal is another under-the-radar player with an impressive first-half resume. After notching 27 tallies, the Penguins winger is tied with Jonathan Toews for second in goals scored behind Steven Stamkos (32). The “Real Deal” is also benefiting from playing alongside Malkin–adding 20 assists to that goal total.

Neal’s former Dallas teammate, Jamie Benn, is probably the NHL’s least recognized star partly because he plays his hockey in the "Lone Star State"–not exactly a hockey hotbed. A fifth-round draft pick in 2007, Benn entered the league in anonymity and unfortunately plays in similar circumstances. Benn is about to embark upon his first All Star Game–a prime opportunity to put hockey fans everywhere on notice.

A Look Into The Future

Seven of the top-ten scoring rookies are on hand in Ottawa to provide fans a glimpse of the NHL’s brilliant future. Names such as Carl Hagelin (NYR), Sean Couturier (PHI), Gabriel Landeskog (COL) and Craig Smith (NSH) may be carrying veterans’ bags on road trips, but when the lights come on and the puck drops, each of these rookies is shouldering a major portion of their team’s on-ice success.

By shifting attention away from the negative headlines attached to this year’s NHL All-Star Game and focusing on the positive elements sure to unfold, fans are given the opportunity to enjoy this game for what it is and the stars that will appear.

No Crosby and no Ovechkin, does not mean no intrigue–it simply proves the NHL is far more than a league dominated by just two superstars.

Ryan O'Leary is a researcher and writer for Bleacher Report's Video Production Department with seven years experience in the sports industry. Ryan covered the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Hockey Tournament with CTV and the 2011 IIHF World Championships with the NBC Sports Channel. He was also a member of NBC's 2008 Olympic Coverage in Beijing. Ryan resides in Connecticut and supports the Pittsburgh Penguins, San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers from afar.