2015 NHL All-Star Game: Choosing Alternate All-Stars for the Detroit Red Wings

All-Star Weekend will take place in Columbus, Ohio, at Nationwide Arena from Friday to Sunday, but there will be no representatives of the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard was selected to participate, but an injury will keep him from playing.

Multiple teams will have more than one player represent them, and there are a couple of Red Wings who deserved to participate in the festivities. With that in mind, here are alternate All-Stars for the Detroit Red Wings.

Tomas Tatar

Tomas Tatar suited up for his first pro season in 2013-14, and he tallied 19 goals and 39 points in 73 games. This year, he has 21 goals and 34 points in just 47 games.

The speedy Czech has really broken out offensively, and it is safe to say that no one saw this coming. He has definitely been one of the better Red Wings this year, and he could have been an All-Star with a few more goals and points.

Henrik Zetterberg

Bill Wippert/Getty Images

The Detroit Red Wings captain has played solid hockey this season, and he should have been made an All-Star.

The healthy veteran winger has 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points thus far, and he is on pace to have his best season since 2011.

Zetterberg has a fun personality, is a great player and just seems like the type of person the NHL would love to showcase during All-Star Weekend.

Pavel Datsyuk

The Magic Man has been a key performer this season, and he hasn't slowed down despite turning 36 over the summer. Datsyuk has 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games, including six power-play tallies.

He clearly has the requisite statistics, and he would have added a little bit extra to the puck control and breakaway challenge portions of the Skills Competition. Depriving the fans of his awesomeness is simply treasonous and goes against the spirit of All-Star Weekend. 

Gustav Nyquist

Gustav Nyquist was the Red Wings' savior last season, and he's played very well in 2014-15. The Swedish sniper is second in goals with 19 and has 36 points to date.

While he may not have offensive numbers that are high enough to usurp other participants, he would be a treat to watch during the Skills Competition, especially the breakaway challenge. Nyquist is a solid player with a bright future, and there is no doubt that he will be an All-Star very soon.