John Scott takes shot at NHL before playing in All-Star game

“While I don’t deserve to be an all-star, I also don’t think I deserve to be treated like I’ve been by the league throughout this saga”, he wrote. I have no idea what moves or tricks I’ll pull out of the bag, but I will try to think of something.

“I think he was anxious about me not feeling welcome here, and being uncomfortable”, Scott said.

Nashville Predators left winger James Neal was named to replace Toews. Scott’s plain black all-star jersey reportedly sold out in Nashville on Friday.

“I was nervous to be around these superstars”, said Scott, who will compete in the hardest shot competition.

After 15 minutes, the questions for John Scott subsided, and All-Star weekend’s Cinderella turned to the media with an unusual request. You could also get some teammate vs. teammate action, depending on how the lineups shake out.

“And he’s more than welcome to be here”, Bettman said.

However, his compliance ceased after he got a call in which an National Hockey League representative allegedly asked him whether or not his children – Scott and his wife have two daughters and a set of twins on the way – would be proud of his all-star appearance.

The crowd only grew after Scott’s endearing first-person essay appeared on The Players’ Tribune website on Thursday, providing a peek behind his motivation for attending All-Star weekend after he was voted in by the fans.

The Blackhawks captain will have to miss the first game back from the All-Star break against the Avalanche because he’s sick and begging off this weekend’s stupidities.

Joke vote or not, the league doesn’t have a choice. “The big picture for my ownership, my general manager, the players in our room, our team, and our fans is that we have to make the right decision”.

“It’s neat”, he said.

“I’m just going to go on vacation instead”, he concluded. Only six active players have more points a game since he entered the league and they’re the best of the best: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Getzlaf and Patrick Kane.

“I don’t understand it”, Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo.

Around the league Backstrom has a reputation as a very good player. “They handed us a pretty good beating the other night”. Gallant was an assistant coach with the Canadiens in 2013-14 when they reached the Eastern Conference finals. He said he’s playing. He was so much fun to play with on the same line – great passer, great vision. It’s gotten a lot of people excited to watch the game, so you never know. But he intends to make the most of his All-Star experience and have fun, maybe even score a goal or two.

League deputy commissioner Bill Daly said, when asked if the NHL will fine the Capitals and Blackhawks organizations, responded in an email on Thursday morning: “We do not intend to fine the Clubs”.

Weber ripped a blast of 108.5 miles per hour a year ago in Columbus, about seven miles per hour faster than Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, and could top that with the adrenaline from the loud crowd on his side.