MacKinnon rips All-Star format, Kadri snub: It's not a 'participation game'

Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon didn't hold back when discussing teammate Nazem Kadri's current exclusion from the upcoming All-Star Game.

"It's silly. I don't think every team should send a guy," said MacKinnon, the Central Division's All-Star captain, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

MacKinnon added: "It's an All-Star Game, not a participation game."

Kadri is easily having the best season of his career so far, posting 48 points in 30 games. He ranks fourth in the league in points and second in points per game.

However, the NHL's current All-Star format requires each team to have at least one representative. Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller was named an All-Star for the Central Division despite having 22 fewer points than Kadri in four more games.

Now, Kadri's fate rests in the hands of fans as he can still be voted in as one of the "Last Men In."

MacKinnon also believes the Avalanche should have "five or six" guys on the team. Although Cale Makar earned an All-Star nod, other notable teammates like Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Devon Toews weren't recognized.

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