It’s a young man’s game, apparently. Two of the NHL’s legendary veterans have opted not to participate in the league’s annual All-Star Game. Both Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selanne and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom were left off the final roster of the Jan. 29 game in Ottawa. But it wasn’t because they aren’t worthy anymore. At age 41, Selanne still has 14 goals and 27 assists. And Lidstrom, also 41, has eight goals and 15 assists and still anchors a Detroit blueline that allows just 2.36 goals per game — sixth best in the NHL.
But instead of an 11th All-Star Game appearance in what could be his final season, Selanne passed the opportunity on to his teammate, reigning Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry. It’s unlikely if Selanne hadn’t bowed out that the last-place Ducks would have had two representatives.
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“I’m an old guy. That’s one thing. I’ve been there many times,” Selanne told reporters in Calgary. “Honestly, I think it’s a young player’s great opportunity. Perry was MVP last year. He’s the man.”
Lidstrom didn’t need to step aside to give his teammates in Detroit a chance. The Red Wings were sending goalie Jimmy Howard and forward Pavel Datsyuk anyway. But not to have the seven-time Norris Trophy winner on hand in Ottawa? Lidstrom was a team captain, after all, at last year’s game in Carolina. But a weekend of rest is welcome, too.
“It’s always an honor to be selected and one of the guys going to the All-Star Game,” Lidstrom told reporters in Detroit. “It would be nice to get the weekend off, kind of re-energize and get back at it after the break.”
– Brian McNally
