Vegas Golden Knights: Fleury out of All-Star Game, Gallant in

Marc-Andre Fleury has pulled out of the 2020 All-Star Game, although Head Coach Gerard Gallant will represent the Vegas Golden Knights in St. Louis.

In what is a very All-Star heavy update, it is that time of week again to get you up to speed on the latest involving the Vegas Golden Knights.

Let’s dive right in…

Fleury says no

Marc-Andre Fleury was the lone Vegas Golden Knights player on the list when the rosters were announced for the 2020 All-Star Game on Monday.

It was Fleury’s fifth All-Star inclusion and his third straight following a first half of the year that has seen the future Hall of Famer post a 17-8-3 record with a 2.76 Goals Against Average and a .912 Save Percentage.

However, the Golden Knights announced on Friday that Fleury will decline the invitation to attend the festivities in St. Louis later this month.

Instead, Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom will take Fleury’s place at the 2020 All-Star Game.

It is a decision that makes perfect sense for both team and player. For starters, Fleury has attended four of these events throughout his career so it isn’t like he’s missing out.

Also, Fleury isn’t getting younger having recently turned 35-years-old and having to travel to St. Louis for what is always an action-packed weekend would just add more tread on the tyres.

It has also been a testing couple of months for Fleury who sadly lost his father in November, so by missing the All-Star Game Fleury will now get a 10 day break as opposed to a five day one.

That will allow the goalie to spend some valuable time with his family, while resting his body and recharging the batteries for the second half of the regular season and, hopefully, a deep playoff run.

Gallant off to St. Louis

One member of the Vegas Golden Knights that will be representing the franchise at the 2020 All-Star Game is Head Coach Gerard Gallant.

After his team beat the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, it ensured that Gallant had the highest points percentage (points earned divided by total possible points) of any of the Head Coaches in the Pacific Division, which Gallant will lead in St. Louis.

Gallant has a .591 points percentage with a 23-15-6 record so far this year and he will be joined at the 2020 All Star Game by the following Head Coaches:

• Bruce Cassidy – Boston Bruins – Atlantic Division (.702, 24-7-11)
• Craig Berube – St. Louis Blues – Central Division (.690, 26-10-6)
• Todd Reirden – Washington Capitals – Metro Division (.720, 27-9-5)

It is the second time in three years that Gallant will represent the Golden Knights at the All-Star Game, and he will now get another chance to manage the best of the best in the Pacific Division.

Congrats, Coach!

Vote Pacioretty!

We told you that this was all going to be about the 2020 All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Max Pacioretty is on pace for a career-year and it seems madness that he wasn’t a lock for the All-Star game, something we discussed in detail here.

However, you could still get Pacioretty to St. Louis by voting for him in the NHL’s “Last Men In” ballot, which is now open.

One player from each of the four divisions with the most votes will be sent to St. Louis for the 2020 All-Star Game, with voting ending at 11:59 p.m. ET on January, 10, 2020.

Pacioretty has been lights out for the Golden Knights this year, leading the team in points with 43 (18 goals, 25 assists).

He is playing arguably the best hockey of his career and, while we may be biased, we believe Max Pacioretty deserves to get the chance to be an All-Star.

You can vote for Pacioretty here.

Sticking with the All-Star theme, Golden Knights prospect Lucas Elvenes, who was selected 127th overall by Vegas in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, will represent the Chicago Wolves at the 2020 AHL All-Star Game.

Congrats, Lucas!

Fortress Invitational

Need a hockey fix?

The Fortress Invitational is currently taking place at T-Mobile Arena and it is the perfect way to satisfy your hockey cravings before the Vegas Golden Knights take on the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

And it was a great start to the event on Friday which featured a fairytale beginning for one Golden Knights prospect.

Jack Duggan, who was taken 142nd overall by Vegas in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, scored the first goal of the tournament at the arena that could be his future home, giving Providence College a one goal lead.

The tournament will conclude today with the championship being decided.