The NHL All-Star Teams were announced on Thursday, and the first-team selections featured two standout players who made their debut on the list: Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Both were worthy choices, but the selection of Werenski over Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes raised some eyebrows. While some argued that Hughes deserved to be on the first team, we believe the voters made the right call by choosing Werenski. Here’s why.
Hughes’ Exceptional Season, But Missing Time
Quinn Hughes had another impressive year for the Canucks, recording 60 assists and 76 points in 68 games. Those are outstanding numbers that most NHL players would envy. However, Hughes missed 14 games due to injury, which undoubtedly impacted his chances of securing a first-team spot.
While Hughes’ production remained solid, missing time left an opening for other players to take his place on the first all-star team.
Werenski’s Breakout Year
Zach Werenski, on the other hand, had a career year that earned him his first-ever first-team All-Star honor. The Blue Jackets defenseman put up a career-high 59 assists and 82 points in 81 games—three more goals and 13 more assists than his previous bests.
Werenski was a driving force behind Columbus’ offense, helping the team compete for a playoff spot, and played a major role in them having the eighth-best offense in the league (averaging 3.26 goals per game). His ability to impact both ends of the ice made him a deserving candidate for the first-team nod.
Reputation vs. Reality
While Quinn Hughes is certainly a dynamic and skilled defenseman, Werenski’s outstanding performance this season should not be overlooked. Often, All-Star selections are influenced by a player’s reputation, and Hughes may have benefitted from that had he been chosen for the first team.
However, when looking at the numbers and impact this season, Werenski did just a little bit more. Hughes may have been the better player in terms of overall talent, but Werenski’s consistent, high-level play made him the more deserving choice in 2023-24.
A Close Call, But Werenski Shines a Little Brighter
At the end of the day, the All-Star teams represent the players who stood out the most that season. And while Hughes was undoubtedly excellent, Werenski’s stellar year put him slightly ahead in terms of overall impact.
The debate is a fine one, and both defensemen deserve recognition for their excellent seasons. However, based on the 2023-24 campaign, Werenski had a slight edge.
Other Notable Selections
The first-team All-Star lineup also included established superstars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, as well as repeat selections like Nikita Kucherov and Connor Hellebuyck.
On the second team, players like Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Leon Draisaitl, and David Pastrnak were all recognized for their outstanding performances.
In the end, the difference between Werenski and Hughes for the first-team All-Star spot is a matter of splitting hairs. Both players had excellent seasons, but Werenski’s consistency and overall contribution to his team’s success made him a slightly better choice for the honor this time around. While Hughes may very well claim the first-team spot in the future, this se
