Marc-Andre Fleury was once again named the all-star representative of the Vegas Golden Knights. While his ability is unquestioned and it's a sentimental win for Flower, other Golden Knights may have been more qualified.
Fleury was the Golden Knight present in San Jose last season (USA Today Sports)
All-star selections began rolling out on Monday morning and the representative for the Vegas Golden Knights comes as no surprise. Goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury was named to his third-straight All-Star Game, in as many years with the club.
Fleury has performed adequately this season. After a short break due to the loss of his father, the Golden Knights' netminder has begun to regain his footing in goal, including a backstopping a statement 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night. On the season, Fleury has compiled a 15-8-3 record with a 2.74 GAA and .912 Sv %, numbers that are good, but don't jump off the charts.
So wait, maybe there should be some surprise regarding the selection. Other Golden Knights players could have and should have been selected over Fleury. His status as the face of the franchise surely came into play, but here are the three players that should have represented the Golden Knights in St. Louis on Jan. 24-25.
Max Pacioretty:
Pacioretty is having quite the bounceback season (USA Today Sports)
From the start of preseason til present day, Max Pacioretty has been playing like a man possessed. Right out of the gate, he showed renewed energy, aggressiveness, and quickness. He was so good, many speculated just how healthy he was last season.
With 40 points in 42 games, it's not a stretch to say that Patches is assuredly at full strength and has been the hands-down best forward for the Golden Knights for prolonged stretches. Pacioretty has already matched the point production from his 2018-19 season in 24 less games.
2018-19: 66 games, 22 goals, 18 assists, 40 points, minus-13 rating
2018-19: 42 games, 16 goals, 24 assists, 40 points, plus-8 rating
Together, these two form a formidable duo (USA Today Sports)
Together with Mark Stone, Pacioretty has flanked a dangerous second line for the Golden Knights, with three different centers - Paul Stastny, Cody Glass, Chandler Stephenson - throughout the season. He has been great for the Pacific Division leaders and should have made his first All-Star Game. He still has a chance, but the fans must vote him in (more info on that below).
Mark Stone:
Mark Stone is a complete player who should be a perennial all-star (USA Today Sports)
Last season's Selke Trophy runner-up has picked right up where he left off in the spring. The Golden Knights' trade deadline steal was great upon his arrival in Vegas and continues to be a crucial and entertaining piece of the puzzle for the Golden Knights.
Stone ranks second on the team in scoring with 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 42 games. He continues to be a terror defensively, evidenced by his 29 shot blocks, 34 hits, and 3.4 Corsi-rel numbers. Stone is a catalyst on both ends and a real bona-fide game changer.
Aside from a six-game stretch in November, Stone frequents the scoresheet and is as steady as they come. His performance is a large reason the Golden Knights are leading the Pacific Division.
Reilly Smith:
Reilly Smith has proven to be invaluable to the VGK (USA Today Sports)
I keep coming back to the term "unsung hero" when it comes to describing Reilly Smith. He's the guy who does the dirty work for "more skilled" linemates. He gets to the corners, plays a strong two-way game, and wins board battles each shift. His work on the Penalty Kill is unrivaled, he serves as one of the three Assistant Captains of the hockey club (with Stone and Deryk Engelland), and he has top-end skill. He's essentially everything you want in a player.
This season, Smith has the scoring numbers to go with the obvious on-ice impact he has. For a large part of the season, Smith led the team in scoring, currently ranking third with 14 goals. When many players were struggling, Smith put the team on his shoulders and carried the load.
He continues to anchor the top line and one of the top PK duos and should continue to do through the 2021-22 season. He's under contract for three more years and could conceivably don the first captain's C in team history once Engelland departs. Smith's presence is huge for the team and he has put together an all-star worthy campaign.
Once again, Fleury is one of the best goaltenders in the game and his fifth all-star nod is deserved. He already wrapped up Save-of-the-Year with his portrayal of a short stop against the Toronto Maple Leafs and could steal his club a game on any given night. His inclusion in the game is a delight, but also a safe and lazy pick.
It could be the format - divisional teams made up of nine skaters (w/ one fan-voted captain) and two goalies - or an oversight of the voting committee. The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers both have two deserving all-star reps, limiting the space available. Fleury becomes the easy choice due to the need for two goalies and the fact that he's a salt of the Earth guy, who people around the league love and respect.
Darcy Kuemper, the second goaltender selected to the game, is currently out with a lower-body injury. John Gibson (Anaheim) and Jacob Markstrom (Vancouver) are the other feasible options in Kuemper's stead, although the former is mired in a down season statistically. A format change would better suit the players who would love to be selected, even if they didn't actually want to play in the game itself. Cough, Ovie, cough.....
Here is the full Pacific Division roster:
Pacific Division (All-Star appearance)
F Logan Couture, SJS (2nd)
F Leon Draisaitl, EDM (2nd)
F Anze Kopitar, LAK (5th)
F Connor McDavid, EDM (4th) (C)
F Elias Pettersson, VAN (2nd)
F Jakob Silfverberg, ANA (1st)
F Matthew Tkachuk, CGY (1st)
D Marc Giordano, CGY (3rd)
G Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK (5th)
G Darcy Kuemper, ARI (1st)
Pacioretty got an honorable mention in the process, as the "last man in" representative for the Golden Knights. Fans have a chance to vote in the final skater for each team starting Jan. 1 and closing Jan. 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET. There is a maximum of 10 votes per day. Go to
NHL.com/Vote to make your selections.
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