Roloson and Kuba Named All-Stars.
by Chris Thompson

Friday, January 23, 2004

Kuba's inclusion as an All-Star reserve was a shocker to most hockey fans.

They say the home town team is usually guaranteed a roster spot for the All-Star game in the NHL. Apparantly, Minnesota was guaranteed two as both Dwayne Roloson and Filip Kuba were named as reserves for next month's All-Star spectacular at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Everyone and their mother expected Roloson to make the team. His numbers were worthy of consideration even if the game wasn't in St. Paul. But Kuba was perhaps one of the most surprising and seemingly out-of-place selections in recent NHL All-Star history.

So how did he get in? Was it his stellar offensive numbers? Hardly. His five goals ranks him 30th among NHL defensemen and his 12 assists ties him for 44th among NHL defensemen. Is it his solid defensive play? Wrong again. At a dismal -9, Kuba ties for...239th in +/- rating among NHL defensemen. OUCH! The ONLY category Kuba rates even close to the top of the league in is average time on ice, where he is 16th among NHL defensemen. So he's not very good statistically, but since he plays a lot...he must be an All-Star right? Interesting logic.

Roloson of course was a very worthy choice. His GAA and save percentage have been among the best in the league all season long. In a Western Conference somewhat thin on "star" goaltenders, Roloson's path to the big game wasn't too difficult. And you have to be happy for the guy! Relegated to backing up Dominik Hasek in Buffalo, sent to the minors in St. Louis, the guy's had a tough career. But he has found a home in Minnesota and is a fan favorite. What's great about the guy, having talked to him on several occassions in the locker room, is how humble he is. All he ever talks about after a win is how good his defense played for him and when he loses, he shoulders the blame himself. He's a selfless player who embodies the concept of team play. It's great to see him recognized now on a world stage like this.

So maybe we'll see Kuba in the hardest shot contest. Maybe Roli will be in the skills comp too. Who knows....what's for sure is that Wild fans have twice as many reasons to cheer at the All-Star game as they expected, and probably twice as many as they deserve. But it should be a rocking loud house at the X. And that's what it's all about. Celebrating the game in front of the best fans in hockey.