NHL suspends Ovechkin and Toews for missing All-Star game

Two of the NHL’s biggest stars won’t be participating in the league’s all-star activities this weekend, and the NHL is not happy.

Both Alex Ovechkin and Jonathan Toews will miss the all-star game due to injury and illness respectively, which should be legitimate excuses to not take the ice in a game that has no genuine meaning. Well, due to a league rule both players will receive a one-game suspension due to their absence.

According to a tweet from James Mirtle, “Ovechkin will miss the Capitals’ game on Feb. 2 against the Florida Panthers, while Toews will miss the Blackhawks’ game on Feb. 2 at the Colorado Avalanche.”

In Ovechkin’s case, it was the front office who made the decision that he needs rest. Here is Washington’s statement per Yahoo Sports:

“Alex Ovechkin will miss the 2016 NHL All-Star Game due to a lower-body injury that would be better served by rest, the Washington Capitals announced today. The decision was made in consultation with Ovechkin and the Capitals front office, coaching and athletic training staffs.

“We made this difficult decision after taking into consideration what we felt was best for Alex and our organization,” said Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan. “Alex has been an incredible ambassador for our team and the league, but we believe it is better if he uses this time to heal and ideally be completely healthy for the duration of the season.”

Ovechkin’s playing status is day-to-day, but by NHL rule, he will be required to sit out the Capitals Feb. 2 game against Florida.

In a statement from Blackhawks Head Team Physician Michael Terry:

“Jonathan will not participate in the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville. He was pulled from Tuesday night’s third period because of an illness and remains symptomatic today. At this time, rest over the break is most important for him to properly recover and be fully healthy heading into the rest of the regular season.”

Obviously, some extra rest will bode well for both players; additionally, the suspension is for only one game in February, which in all actuality will not determine their respective team’s season.

Can’t we all just agree that this rule is simply foolish and that players who have a legitimate excuse to sit out the all-star game should not have to endure a suspension?