Kuznetsov instead Ovechkin in a cohort of stars – BBC

Alexander Ovechkin did not perform in the upcoming weekend in the All-Star Game – the striker suffered an injury. UEFA has already published that instead Captain “Washington Capitals” in Nashville will make another Russian forward “capital” Yevgeny Kuznetsov.

Rejection Ovechkin

The news that Alexander Ovechkin selected in the All-Star break, will not participate in Saturday’s competitions and Sunday’s match. “Washington Capitals” announced that the team captain will not play in the All-Star Game due to injury of the lower body.

«decision that Alexander Ovechkin will not take part in the Star Game, was not taken lightly. However, it was taken in the interests of Alexander himself and the club. This is the time he spends on the treatment and full recovery – said in a club statement.

However, in the league believe such a trauma not too much, and Ovi will not return to the ice immediately after the resumption of the regular season and will miss one match because of disqualification imposed by the league. It will be a meeting on the night from 2nd to 3rd February Moscow time against the “Florida Panthers».

Recall that in this season on account of Alexander the Great 42 (28 +14) points in the 46 games he spent, but “Washington” confidently led the table not only their division, but the entire Eastern Conference.

Chance Kuznetsova

on January 28 at the official website of the NHL, it was reported that the roster All-Star game instead refused the privilege to participate in the show Ovechkin will be his mate and compatriot Yevgeny Kuznetsov.

This move seems only logical and correct in all respects, including marketing – the loss of superstar compensated so that no fans, “Capitals” or Russian audience does not lose interest in the All-Star weekend.

«Thanks to the guys on the team and all the fans for what was to match NHL stars,” – Kuznetsov wrote on his page on the social network.

Recall that on account of Eugene in the season 49 (15 + 34) points and a rating of 24, so that it is currently the fifth scorer and most valuable hockey player the entire league!

In addition to Kuznetsova at the last moment the number of participants in the weekend was introduced winger James Neal. With him it’s not so obvious as it appears in the Western Conference, and will replace John Tavares – the captain, “New York Islanders” from the East. However, here the logic of the league is clear – Neal stands for “Nashville Predators”, whose stage everything will pass.

Neal, already once participated in the Star Game in 2012, was listed as another hockey player, “Pittsburgh Penguins”, has this season, 30 (18 +12) points in 50 meetings held.

The scandal and back down the league

This season, the NHL introduced a new format in the match of the stars. Now, before the main bout, which will take place on Sunday, and where the players will be divided into teams of East and West, in Saturday’s competition, they will compete in teams of four – by division.

The captains were chosen by voting of fans, and it led to this scandal. If the captains of the Atlantic, Central and division “Metropolitan” no problems – they become Jaromir Jagr, Patrick Kane and Alexander Ovechkin (not yet announced who will receive his badge) – in the Pacific Division flash mob fans promoted to captain tafgaya “Arizona Coyotes” John Scott, who got a part of the club in the season just 11 times and scored only 3 (0 + 3) points.

According to rumors, unhappy with this choice of the league tried to talk hockey to participate in the show, and when he refused, “Arizona” unexpectedly traded him to another division in the “Montreal Canadiens”.

So, Scott ceased to be representative of the Pacific Division, and everyone was sure that he would not be party to the Star Game. However, if the initial plan and was therefore, under public pressure, the league changed its announcing the other day that Scott will play the captain and the Pacific Division, just on the shoulder, where the club badge emblazoned with the hockey player who serves in the NHL, he is empty.

national team divisions

Atlantic

Goalkeepers: Ben Bishop (“Tampa Bay”), Roberto Luongo (“FL” );
Defenders: Aaron Ekblad (“FL”), PK Subban (“Montreal”), Erik Karlsson (“Ottawa”);
Forwards: Jaromir Jagr (“FL”), Leo Komarov (“Toronto”), Dylan Larkin (“Detroit”), Ryan O’Reilly (“Buffalo”), Steven Stamkos (“Tampa Bay”).

«Metropolitan»

Goalkeepers: Cory Schneider (“New Jersey”), Braden Holtby («Washington»);
Defenders: Justin Faulk (“SC”), Kris Letang (“Pittsburgh”), Ryan McDonagh (“Rangers»)
Forwards: Niklas Backstrom, Yevgeny Kuznetsov (both – “Washington”), Claude Giroux (“Philadelphia”), Evgeni Malkin (“Pittsburgh”), Brandon Saad (“Columbus”).

Central

Goalkeepers: Dewan Dabnik (“Minnesota”), Pekka Rinne (“Nashville»);
Defenders: Dustin Baflin (“Winnipeg”), Shea Weber, Roman Josi (both – “Nashville»);
Forwards: Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin (both – “Dallas”) Patrick Kane (“Chicago”), Vladimir Tarasenko (“St. Louis”), Matt Duchene (“Colorado”), James Neal (“Nashville”).

Pacific

Goalkeepers: John Gibson (“Anaheim”), Jonathan Quick (“Los Angeles»);
Defenders : Brent Burns (“San Jose”), Drew Doughty (“Los Angeles”), Mark Giordano (“Calgary»);
Forwards: John Scott (” Arizona “/” Montreal “), Johnny Goodrem (” Calgary “), Taylor Hall (” Edmonton “), Joe Pavelski (” San Jose “), Daniel Sedin (” Vancouver “).

Read the other news, materials and statistics you to page National Hockey League, as well as the Group of the sports social networking Facebook and “VKontakte ».

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