Huge forward Tage Thompson, one of the biggest upsets of the season in the National Hockey League (NHL), may have to skip the All-Star Game.
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The Buffalo Sabers center suffered a torso injury and his condition is being reevaluated daily.
For the first time in his career, 25-year-old Thompson was invited to the annual classic with the crème de la crème of the Bettman Circuit. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound athlete may have hatched slowly, but he quickly became one of the NHL’s most electrifying players.
In 49 duels this season he has already scored 34 goals and as many assists. All of this on a roster that’s outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
Thompson is third in the NHL in goals and fifth in points.
Another Arizona star, Auston Matthews, has already retired from the All-Star Game, which will be held at Sunrise. He will be replaced by Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
Beniers stayed away
Calder Trophy favorite rookie Matty Beniers is also sidelined with injury.
The young Seattle Kraken center is impressing in his freshman year on the circuit, amassing 36 points in 47 games.
He will be replaced by Vegas Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson. The former Washington Capitals have 44 points in 51 games this season.
The Kraken will be the only team not to feature in the All-Star Game.