From the moment the clock hit 6 p.m. EST, the NHL All-Star Player Draft provided nothing but absolute chaos. The “big four” all-star games are beginning to lose their fanfare. The MLB, which was almost everyone’s favourite at one point, no longer competes for home-field advantage in the World Series. The NFL’s Pro Bowl is no longer played in Hawaii and is now just one, big flag football game. The NBA All-Star Game, still with a fun slate of skills competitions, provides no defence and is the most boring game of basketball you’ll ever see. Although the 3-on-3 aspect is exciting, Thursday night proved that the NHL’s product is still not hitting its mark.
For the two representatives of the New York Rangers, both Igor Shesterkin and Vincent Trocheck had to play the waiting game. One of the top faceoff men was one of the last four to be picked. The winner of the 2022 Vezina Trophy was the seventh of eight goalies to be selected. Sure, a lot has to do with teammates picking fellow teammates (i.e. Team Hughes selecting Vancouver goaltender Thatcher Demko), but it still can be interpreted as a wake-up call for both Blueshirts. This silly gimmick could be the start both Trocheck’s and Shesterkin’s redemption arcs. As crazy as it sounds, it is the perfect chance to come back all fired up.
Was Vincent Trocheck Really Picked Last?
The Player Drafts of the past have provided some all-time moments in the world of hockey. Who could forget the iconic moment of Phil Kessel being selected last with Alex Ovechkin taking pictures on his Blackberry? Or when The Great Eight himself was disgusted that he himself did not win the car? Priceless moments from an event that was well worth it. Now, those iconic moments are nowhere to be found.
In honour of the All-Star Draft returning, we had to throw it back to the time Phil Kessel was drafted last in 2011 ? pic.twitter.com/YQ0teI5Ii7
— BarDown (@BarDown) November 28, 2023
Remember when Alex Ovechkin tried to get picked last because he needed a car?
The @TimHortons #NHLAllStar Player Draft is back! ?
Catch the fun on Feb. 1 for All Star Thursday on @ESPN & @Sportsnet. pic.twitter.com/vlI31HIGnn
— NHL (@NHL) November 28, 2023
Thursday night’s Player Draft provided nothing but awkwardness, especially in its last minutes. The last four players remaining were Vincent Trocheck, Frank Vatrano, Tomas Hertl, and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Instead of letting the teams make their last picks, they were randomly placed on the four teams. Luckily, Trocheck was given his mystery envelope first and was placed on Team Matthews with fellow Ranger Igor Shesterkin. As great as the reunion, the way that it came to be was just baffling.
Removing the concept of the last pick of the draft is just plain soft. Is it a matter of hurting someone’s feelings? They are hockey players for crying out loud. Sure, not everyone is excited to be there, but you are taking out an iconic moment from years past. For Trocheck, he should use this moment to spark a little fire in his game when New York returns to action on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. Getting selected after players like Boone Jenner is alarming. No disrespect to the captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, but Trocheck’s game this year is miles past his. This is the straw that will stir the drink, hopefully that drink is New York returning to the dominant force they once were.
Is Igor Shesterkin The Seventh-Best Goalie At The All-Star Game?
You got that right, seven goalies were selected before Igor Shesterkin at this years Player Draft. Just two years removed from his Vezina Trophy winning season, Shesterkin is now, according to a silly draft, the seventh-best netminder at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. That has to be a joke, right? Yes, this has not been Shesterkin’s sharpest year by no means. He currently possesses a .899 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.86.
It is alarming to say the least and it is a bother to see him outed like this. With all due respect, Shesterkin should not be in Toronto this weekend. A vacation with his family could have been what was needed to find a temporary cure for his “slump”. Yet, Igor is a professional and he will provided hockey fans with a great show this weekend.
As soon as he leaves Toronto, we might get a chance to see a new Igor Shesterkin. Seeing six goalies get picked before him had to have gotten him riled up a bit. The storyline is there for a monumental redemption, something like you would see only in professional wrestling. If his play sharpens and the fans get behind him, we just might see the old Igor Shesterkin make a dramatic return.
Main Photo: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
