NHL All-Star Game 2020: Last Minute Roster Changes You Need to Know

NHLNHL All-Star Game 2020: Last Minute Roster Changes You Need to Know

Ryan Bristlon - January 24, 2020

Metropolitan Division

After suffering an upper-body injury in a game against the Islanders last Tuesday, it was announced that New York Rangers’ forward and leading scorer Artemi Panarin would no longer be taking part in the all-star game.

The league announced shortly thereafter that teammate Chris Kreider would be replacing his Russian teammate and representing his team this Saturday night.

This could have a slight effect on the odds as Panarin has so far led the team with 26 goals and 68 points in 47 games played. Kreider currently sits with 17 goals and 32 points in 48 games played this season.

Atlantic Division

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews has also withdrawn his participation from the all-star game due to a nagging wrist injury. Matthews has opted out of the game in order to receive further treatment on the injured wrist.

He is listed as day-to-day by the team and is expected to be back on the ice as the season resumes post-all-star weekend. Matthews has 34 goals and 57 points this season, leading his team in both categories.

Auston Matthews will not be replaced by a fellow teammate, however. The roster gap left open by the Leafs forward will be filled by rising star Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators. In just his second year in the NHL, Tkachuk currently has 15 goals and 27 points and he will join teammate Anthony Duclair on the Atlantic division team Saturday night.

2021 All-Star Game announcement

On a final note, the league announced this week that the 2021 NHL all-star game has been awarded to the Florida Panthers and will take place next season at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. This will be Florida’s second time hosting the all-star game as they hosted once before in 2003 – a year that saw former NHL forward Dany Heatley score four goals.

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