The Toronto Maple Leafs were always going to have someone disappointed in not being selected to participate in the All-Star festivities at the beginning of February in Toronto, but I don't know if many were expected that it would be the team's leading scorer, William Nylander, not being named to this year's All-Star Game roster.
As surprising as it was to see that Nylander was not one of the original 32 names selected, I don't think anyone will be surprised to learn that Auston Matthews was the NHL's selection from Toronto. Matthews is already a 30-goal man this season in just 35 games played, thanks to this absolute rocket of a one-timer last night in overtime against Anaheim:
While Matthews is off to the All-Star Game once again, Nylander's fate is still hanging in the balance. He is on a torrid pace this season, having racked up 51 points in 36 games so far this season, putting him on pace for 116 points this year. Not only does he lead the Maple Leafs in points this year, but he's also right up there with some of the best players in the world, currently tied for 4th in points in the entire NHL. To see him snubbed in the first wave of names announced is certainly disappointing.
It's still very likely that Nylander gets in, as the NHL's All-Star Game fan vote still has yet to occur. As such, there are still 12 players to be named and I suspect that Nylander's will still be one of them.