{"id":128465,"date":"2022-05-09T11:01:11","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T15:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=128465"},"modified":"2022-05-09T11:01:11","modified_gmt":"2022-05-09T15:01:11","slug":"2021-22-nhl-all-star-team-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/05\/09\/2021-22-nhl-all-star-team-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"2021-22 NHL All-Star Team Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the end of the NHL regular season drawing to a close and the award season drawing near, we can reflect on some outstanding play this year. Who will make the NHL All-Star team? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Players from across the four divisions have treated us to historical scoring feats, bounce-back seasons and huge rookie starts. Highlight reel plays full of elite skill have been the talk of the league from plenty of superstars. However, only six can make the team of the year. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s have a look at those whose stars have shone the brightest, by starting with the left-wing position. Please note that each player is eligible for one position. Therefore, players such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/draisle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leon Draisaitl<\/a> cannot be placed at wing to accommodate their tremendous seasons along with the player already selected at centre.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>2021-22 NHL-All Star Team Projections<\/h2>\n<p><b>Left Wing: Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a couple of seasons of struggling to find that elite form, the Panthers looked great in the regular season. A major contributing factor is the play from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/huberjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Huberdeau<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Canadian has been on fire this season, starting strong enough to earn an All-Star nod. Huberdeau broke the record for the most assists by a left-winger (71) with 15 games spare. He then added a further 14 assists to finish as the league&#8217;s leader. When combined with his 30 goals, he finished joint second in the overall points charts and will be considered a strong contender for the Art Ross next season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"mEcXjHUMT7li0GDaHwNW6g\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1395942935\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mEcXjHUMT7li0GDaHwNW6g',sig:'4v9atw0280xmPToUScs_49PwsjaX7eAqJBFwqeW2v64=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1395942935',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The left-wing position was stacked with incredible talent this year, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/ovechal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Ovechkin\u2019s<\/a> historic scoring feats, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kreidch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Kreider<\/a> potting a shock 52 goals and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gaudrjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johnny Gaudreau<\/a> bouncing back with a 115-point season. However, it is hard to see past the unbelievable contributions Huberdeau has made to his team from the second line.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Centre: Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/matthau01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Auston Matthews<\/a> has <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/04\/28\/auston-matthews-milestone\/\" target=\"_self\">had a phenomenal season<\/a> this year and has to be the prime candidate to take home the Hart Trophy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2016 1st overall pick has managed a career year captaining the Atlantic Division at the All-Star Game. He also finished the season scoring an astonishing 60 goals in just 73 games; Matthews\u2019 46 assists also place him sixth in the points race. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2017 Calder Trophy winner&#8217;s goal-scoring prowess has seen him become the first Leaf to net 55 in a regular season and the quickest player in Toronto history to score 50 (62 games). Matthews\u2019 streak has also seen him become the highest-scoring American in a single season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from his goalscoring efforts, Matthews\u2019 two-way game has improved.\u00a0 He does not see too much penalty kill time, but his strong defensive contributions. That combined with a Rocket Richard win will undoubtedly see him get a substantial number of votes in many categories.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Right-Wing: Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not often a player who is not even the best on their own line would make the all-star selection. H<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">owever, while Matthews is the clear star in Toronto, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marnemi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mitch Marner<\/a> has quietly played some of the best hockey in the NHL, maintaining his role as an essential member of the Leafs\u2019 top-six.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toronto\u2019s homegrown star has had a huge bounce back after a disappointing playoff series against Montreal, with a huge 35 goals and 62 assists. Admittedly, his stats <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do not immediately pop, but his playmaking is clearly elite. <\/span>Marner finished joint 11th highest in the league for assists after playing 72 games, behind only future Hall of Famer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kanepa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Kane<\/a> for his position. He also finished 10th overall in points, making him the highest-scoring right-winger<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a strong start in the playoffs, the Leafs will be hoping Marner can stay consistent. This may help them avoid an early exit and make a deep run.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Left Defence: Roman Josi, Nashville Predators<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nashville was a surprise package this year and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/josiro01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roman Josi<\/a> has been essential to making the Predators a somewhat surprising playoff team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"-k3JZm_pSfJIlWlFHJK6Og\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1240497012\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'-k3JZm_pSfJIlWlFHJK6Og',sig:'SQQsYoWGDPhBhkF5x-yDT2SRYRthEvzFn1Hx-EubZGA=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1240497012',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite being a defenceman, the Swiss\u2019 fine form has seen him finish fifth in the league for assists with 73. Josi has also added 23 goals to his impressive scoring record, the second-highest tally for his position. It also made him the league&#8217;s highest-scoring defenceman. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Josi\u2019s scoring has also made franchise history for the Preds, with the club\u2019s captain now holding the single-season records for both assists and total points. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is an elite skill-set like this makes Josi a prime candidate to take home the Norris Trophy. It also makes him a shoo-in for the all-star selection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Right Defence: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Avalanche have possibly the best team in the league and despite his young age, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/makarca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cale Makar<\/a> is leading their strong blue line once again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unsurprisingly, the Alberta native ended the season top of the goals defenceman scoring charts with 28. He has also contributed heavily to his teammates\u2019 scoring in other areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Makar, the 2020 Calder Trophy winner, is considered a perennial Norris Trophy winner. He&#8217;ll also be in the running to take home many more through his career.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Goaltender: Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What a season the Russian shot-stopper has had. This young Rangers team is rising fast, with the Blueshirts\u2019 skaters playing with the confidence that thei<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/02\/03\/igor-shesterkin-early-favourite-vezina-trophy\/\" target=\"_self\">r last line of defence<\/a> is as solid as a rock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/shestig01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Igor Shesterkin<\/a> ended his excellent year with the best goals against average (2.07) and save percentage (.935%). He also recorded the fifth-best win percentage (.735%) and six shutouts, good for third in the league.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a goaltender aged just 26, these Vezina worthy numbers make Shesterkin a no-brainer for the all-star selection<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"yYAseBO3TQJ0jf7JU5cnVw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1359192347\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'yYAseBO3TQJ0jf7JU5cnVw',sig:'X1E6MNd9L0CbKreLzzrh_3EKFC9H2EfNivLNBUaPXjM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1359192347',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the end of the NHL regular season drawing to a close and the award season drawing near, we can reflect on some outstanding play this year. Who will make the NHL All-Star team? Players from across the four divisions have treated us to historical scoring feats, bounce-back seasons and huge rookie starts. Highlight reel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4182,"featured_media":128528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4548,28,6,4547,31,14,18],"tags":[7021,228,306],"class_list":["post-128465","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl","category-avalanche","category-panthers","category-hockey","category-predators","category-rangers","category-leafs","tag-2021-22-nhl-season","tag-auston-matthews","tag-jonathan-huberdeau"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128465","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4182"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128465"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128465\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128465"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}