It looks like Filip Forsberg will be a spectator at the All-Star skills competition on Friday in Las Vegas. The NHL released the assignments for the six skills categories — accuracy shooting, stick handling, hardest shot, passing challenge, one timers, and fastest skater — and Forsberg is not participating in any of the competitions.
While Forsberg and other All Stars sit out, several players are competing in multiple challenges which feels like a missed opportunity for the league to showcase quality players in medium markets or on teams that aren't top contenders this season. Forsberg would have been a fun competitor in the stick handling competition.
He will, of course, still participate in the 3-on-3 game on Saturday afternoon, and tonight he will drafted by one of the four teams captained by Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Jack and Quinn Hughes. The draft will be broadcast on ESPN2 tonight at 5:00 pm CT.
ESPN will broadcast the skills competition at 6:00 pm CT on ESPN, and ABC will carry the 3-on-3 game Saturday at 2:00 pm CT.
More must-reads: