While the Detroit Red Wings have to feel good about both Jimmy Howard and Pavel Datsyuk making the roster for the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, there appears to be one snub: Nicklas Lidstrom. He's a seven-time Norris Trophy winner and a 12-time NHL All-Star, and really, hasn't slowed down much at all. However, Lidstrom wasn't actually snubbed, according to a Tweet from Pierre LeBrun:
Lidstrom informed the league well in advance that he'd rather have the weekend off. He's earned that.
It makes sense, having appeared in 12 All-Star games thus far and nearing the end of his career. Lidstrom has nothing left to prove and though it is always a huge honor and it will never be "been there, done that," a four-day off period will certainly do him well.
Still, Lidstrom is playing well and as defensively as ever this year. He's got eight goals and 15 assists, but his real assets come in his shot-blocking ability. Yahoo has him blocking 51 shots thus far this season, and he currently sits with a +17 on the year. Chances are, he'd have been added to the roster if he hadn't contacted the league about making it.
For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NHL hub at SBNation.com/NHL.