In the NHL’s and Gary Bettman’s infinite wisdom, they have decided to suspend Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk, who will miss the All-Star Game because of injury, for the first game back after the break.  This mean’s they’ll be out for Tuesday’s game versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lidstrom is bothered by an ankle injury that won’t heal completely and Datsyuk has an issue with his hip.  Lidstrom has appeared in 10 straight All-Star games as the game’s premier defensive player for over a decade.  This was the Datsyuk’s third All-Star selection, for the game’s best defensive forward.

Nick Lidstrom will miss the 2009 All-Star game and the first game back from the break.

Does Bettman think that anyone even watches the NHL All-Star Game?  Is it THAT important?  I could see if the player just did not want to show up, or needed to go to Cabo instead; but, both Red Wings players have legitimate injuries and I can understand their not wanting to go.  Even more so than that, I think this should come down to a fine.  If the Red Wings come down to a race to get to the playoffs and finished a couple of points out – this would be an absolutely ridiculous reason.  They should fine the players who miss the game if its something that they have to go to.

The bottom line is that the NHL All-Star game is awful.  There’s nothing good about it: no fights, no goaltending, no defense.