To be named All-Star Game MVP may not be the pinnacle of personal hockey achievement, but some of the NHL's greatest have their names on that list, and it remains a nice moment for individuals as all NHL eyes are on the event.
Here, then, is the best - for various reasons - All-Star MVP candidate from the league's four divisions.
Atlantic - Steven Stamkos
This time last year, Stamkos was sidelined with a major leg injury, just months after re-signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning and cementing himself as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Stamkos cited loyalty and "unfinished business" as reasons for remaining with the club in lieu of hitting the open market, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. Now back at full strength, Stamkos is in the midst of making good on that promise; he's on pace to match his career-high 97 points set in 2011-12 while helping the Lightning rebound from missing the playoffs in 2017 to challenging for the Presidents' Trophy and, more importantly, the Stanley Cup in 2018.
With Tampa Bay in the spotlight as the All-Star host city, it would be fitting for the Lightning captain to shine as the brightest star on his own turf.
Metropolitan - Brian Boyle
During training camp, New Jersey Devils center Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of bone marrow cancer.
Boyle missed the campaign's first 10 games, but made his season debut Nov. 1. In 38 games since, he's scored 11 goals, and could very well match the 21 he scored over 82 games with the New York Rangers in 2011-12.
A last-minute addition to the Metropolitan Division roster as a result of an injury to teammate Taylor Hall, Boyle's presence in Tampa will be even more special considering he was a member of the Lightning roster that advanced to the Cup Final in 2015.
He's sure to be warmly welcomed by the home crowd, and would be the unlikeliest of MVP's due to maybe not being as skilled and experienced at three-on-three play as his peers.
But that's exactly what would help make it an All-Star Game to remember.
Central - P.K. Subban
It's time for Subban to be acknowledged as one of the premiere faces of the NHL.
Fresh off an appearance on "The Daily Show" where he talked about the $10-million commitment he made to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and his Blueline Buddies program that pairs Nashville police officers with underprivileged kids at Predators games, Subban has already taken Tampa by storm after hosting a free concert Friday.
An estimated crowd of 11,924 attended Enterprise NHL All-Star Friday Night, a free concert headlined by @FitzAndTantrums and hosted by @PKSubban1. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/LMMDrojabS
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 27, 2018
As a leading candidate to win his second Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, he wants to be known as a top defensive player, but he also knows how to put on a show offensively.
Voted as captain of the Central Division squad, a large section of hockey fans appreciate all that he brings to the game, both on and off the ice. A defenseman hasn't been named All-Star MVP since Ray Bourque in 1996, and Subban is as able as anyone to buck that trend.
The accolade would hopefully push the NHL to ensure Subban is at the forefront of campaigns to grow the game.
Pacific - Marc-Andre Fleury
The emergence of the Vegas Golden Knights is easily one of the best hockey stories in years, and a key to that has been the play of goaltender Fleury.
Seemingly exiled to the desert after a long, successful, and emotional run with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury's debut season with the expansion franchise got off to a bumpy start as a result of a concussion suffered in his fourth start.
But the 33-year-old was back between the pipes in mid-December and is playing some of the best hockey of his career as Vegas challenges for first overall in the NHL. In 18 games, Fleury has a 12-4-2 record and his .942 save percentage is good for second among all goalies.
Fleury is well respected around the hockey world, and his effusive smile easily draws fans in. A rare goalie MVP nod would add to Vegas' crazy introduction to the NHL, and would be sure to expose the rest of the hockey world to that smile.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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