General manager Don Maloney expects the NHL will invite another player from his Arizona Coyotes to participate in the league’s All-Star Game on Jan. 31.
Maloney traded his club’s only all-star selection, John Scott, to the Montreal Canadiens Friday in a multi-player deal that saw the Coyotes land defenceman Jarred Tinordi.
Fans ironically stuffed the ballot box and voted Scott — an enforcer and frequent healthy scratch — to captain the Pacific Division at All-Star Weekend.
Scott had originally planned to attend the festivities, but told The Hockey News Friday that he had “no idea” if he was still going after the deal created lopsided rosters between the Eastern and Western conferences.
Complicating matters, Scott begins his Canadiens tenure by reporting to Montreal’s AHL affiliate in St. John’s. AHL players are not eligible to participate in the NHL All-Star Game.
Maloney told reporters the trade had nothing to do with Scott’s all-star status.
“We’re in the business of looking after the Coyotes,” Maloney said.
The NHL has made it a mandate to include a representative from each of its 30 clubs in the All-Star Game.
Arizona super rookie Max Domi (31 points), winger Mikkel Boedker (33 points), stud defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (33 points) and affable captain Shane Doan (team-high 16 goals) could all be considered replacements for Scott.
A new captain will also need to be named for the Pacific Division.
The league has yet to comment on the situation.
