Just the Facts: NHL All-Star Ballot Needs Fixing

The NHL All-Star Game—if you're a superstar in the league, then you have been in this game at some point in your career.

I recently glanced at the All-Star ballot for this year's big game. Many of the names listed were expected to appear from just about everyone.

Then, there were some names that surprised me to say the least. I'm going to go over some of these players. We'll call them controversial picks. Some of these stats make me wonder if it's this season or the previous that's being observed.

Afterwards, I will jot down some possible replacements that are more deserving of a spot on the ballot.

Controversial

Rick DiPietro

• Hasn't won a game this year.
• Only three starts thus far (all losses)
• An .883 save percentage and 3.91 goals-against average.
• Out for another few weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery.

Chris Phillips

• One assist in 14 games.
• Minus-four rating
• The All-Star Game isn't for shutdown defensemen.

Ryan Whitney/Sergei Gonchar

• I'm pretty sure you have to be playing hockey this season to have a spot on the ballot.
• Gonchar may be out for the entire season.

Kari Lehtonen

• Another injury-risk player.
• A 2-5-2 record with a 3.44 GAA.
• Doesn't have the talent to compete with the other star goaltenders.

Brian Rolston

• Currently on out of action due to injury.
• Two points in four games aren't All-Star numbers.
• Past his prime.

Trent Hunter

• To his credit, has been having a pretty fine season.
• Still, plenty of better individuals out there.

Mike Komisarek

• Single goal in 12 games.
• Another guy who doesn't specialize on the offensive side.

Marty Turco

• This is where I draw the line.
• A 3.93 GAA and .858 save percentage are All-Star credentials?
• Even his stick-handling hasn't been superb.

Robyn Regehr

• Is this year's theme players who don't produce?
• Another defenseman among the likes of Phillips and Komisarek.

Shawn Horcoff

• Averaging less than a point every two games.
• Presence on the ice hasn't been easy to notice.

Rob Blake

• A great career shouldn't earn you a spot on the ballot.
• Competition is much better than his current form.

Replacements

Mark Streit

• Playing great hockey on a bad team.
• Montreal clearly misses his presence on the power play.
• 11 points in 15 games.

Tim Thomas

• Best save percentage in the NHL at .944.
• Posted back-to-back shutouts in consecutive nights two weeks ago.
• A GAA under two.

Filip Kuba

• Where's the recognition?
• A point per game this season—and he's a defenseman!

Nik Antropov

• Has clearly taken his game to the next level.
• Producing without Mats Sundin.

Nikolai Zherdev

• An improved attitude.
• Playing the best hockey of his career.

Patrick Sharp

• Only Patrick Kane has more points in Chicago
• Can produce on the power play and penalty kill.
• Great all-around player.

Martin Havlat

• Injuries seem to be out of the way.
• Has averaged a point per game.

J.P Dumont

• I guess assists don't get you recognition.
• 16 points in 14 games to lead Nashville.

Martin Erat

• Firing in puck, and collecting helpers.
• Could be having a career year.

Teemu Selanne/Corey Perry

• A combined 33 points this year.
• Great chemistry formed on a line which included Ryan Getzlaf.

Alexander Frolov

• Career-high 44 assists last year.
• Great playmaking abilities.

These are just some of the names that caught my attention. This year's All-Star ballot needs some serious second considerations.