Rafalski robbed of roster spot
Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Posted by Scotty

The Anaheim Ducks are nearly unstoppable, losing just three of their last 17 games.
This is a remarkable record considering the team lost 19 of its first 34 games. This about-face falls on the shoulders of one player, Scott Niedermayer. In the 17 games that Niedermayer has played he has put up decent number scoring two goals and 11 points.

The mere presence of the 34-year-old former Norris trophy winner has instilled a sense of confidence in the locker room. This new winning attitude has left the team finally playing like the defending Stanley Cup champs should.

So, when the NHL was informed that Dallas Stars defensemen Sergei Zubov would not attend this year’s All-Star game, due to an injury, they promptly named the former Ducks captain to the team.

The 15-year NHL veteran and four-time Stanley Cup champion appears to be the right choice. But, once we scratch the surface we find that there is a better player for that spot.
A player that didn’t abandon his team for half the season while he considered retirement. One that is second in the league in scoring by defenseman and on pace for a career year. One that was actually voted to be there by fans of the sport.

If you haven’t guessed whom I’m talking about it’s the Detroit Red Wings’ Brian Rafalski. Like Niedermayer, Rafalski has won the Stanley Cup. Twice in fact, both times with the aforementioned Ducks defenseman. He is on pace for a personal best 69 points this year, whereas Niedermayer is well off his best.

Rafalski is fifth in fan voting where Niedermayer never even cracked the top 15 and wasn’t even on the ballot. The Detroit Red Wings are the best team in the NHL right now an impressive 12 points ahead of the second place Ottawa Senators. And as such they should be represented fairly in the All-Star game.

The NHL All-Star game is a game that is supposed to feature the players that are currently having the best seasons. Scott Niedermayer is a great player. He has all but guaranteed himself a spot in the hockey Hall-of-Fame. That being said anyone that puts himself ahead of his team because he’s not sure if his desire is there anymore doesn’t deserve to be honoured as a member of the All-Star team.

Brian Rafalski has helped his team in every game this season and should be awarded his rightful spot on the Western Conference All-Star team. No one can deny that he is having a career year or the fact that nearly 150, 000 fans voted to see him there.

Some how the NHL dropped the ball on Rafalski and now rather than competing in the game he’ll have to watch it this weekend sitting at home. It’s a sad state of affair when the NHL lets past performances dictate what they decide.