Rough call: NHL snubs Blackhawks’ Dickinson

The NHL made an interesting decision Monday by choosing Winnipeg's Kyle Connor and the Rangers' Vincent Trocheck as injury replacements for the All-Star Game, which is February 3 in Toronto.

They take the place of the Blackhawks' Connor Bedard (jaw) and the Golden Knights' Jack Eichel (knee).

Trocheck (15G, 29A) and Connor (18G, 11A in just 29 games) are certainly deserving, but their selections mean the game will not have anyone from the Hawks – an Original Six franchise – or the defending champion Golden Knights.

This would make sense if Chicago and/or Vegas had few suitable replacements, but that's hardly the case.

The shame of it for the Hawks is veteran center Jason Dickinson is having a career year, with 15 goals and 9 assists. Only 1 of his 24 points have come on the power play, while 10 of Connor's 29 have come on the man advantage.

Want a bit more sentimentality? OK, how about the fact that Dickinson played his junior hockey in Guelph, which is only an hour from Toronto.

Bottom line: The NHL blew this one.

As for Bedard, coach Luke Richardson told reporters Monday he still hasn't heard if the league wants the rookie to attend any of the festivites.

The skills competition is February 2. The mini tournament – which will consist of four teams that are drafted by player captains, assistant captains and celebrity captains – is February 3.

Reichel sits

Forward Lukas Reichel was a healthy scratch for Monday's game at Vancouver. It was the second time this season coach Luke Richardson has sat the struggling forward.

“There's ups and downs with young players,” Richardson told reporters. “He's had some ups already, and this year it's not like he's playing terrible defensively, but we need him to spark a little bit more offense and get that confidence going.”

Richardson hopes looking down from the press box will slow things down for Reichel and help him understand how he should play.

“It looks a little easier,” Richardson said. “(Then he can take) that perspective and … put it into your game.”

Reichel has 3 goals and 6 assists in 45 games.

Nick Foligno returned after missing seven games with a broken finger.