Chandler Stephenson replaces Matty Beniers for NHL All-Star Game

Vegas Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson will replace injured Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game in Florida this weekend.

Beniers was banged up in a game against the Vancouver Canucks last week and a return date hasn’t been determined at this point.

Beniers has been the favorite to win the NHL’s Calder Trophy this season, scoring 17 goals and 36 points in 47 games with the Kraken this season. Beniers was set to be the lone rookie skater to participate, with goaltenders Stuart Skinner and Logan Thompson sharing the net for the Pacific Division.

Stephenson will participate in the all-star festivities for the first time in his career in Florida. He’s on pace for a career-high 71 points, a solid boost from his previous best of 64 when he broke out with the Golden Knights last season. The multi-faceted forward has been important as Vegas has dealt with injuries to key players up front, so the all-star selection is well-deserved.

The 28-year-old forward has 198 points in 390 games with Washington and Vegas, with his first full NHL season coming in 2018-19 in a depth role. Since joining Vegas in 2019-20, Stephenson has become an integral piece of the team’s scoring core, finishing two points behind Jonathan Marchessault for the team lead in scoring last year.

Stephenson will join Vegas teammate Logan Thompson on the Pacific Division roster. With Beniers gone, the Kraken will have no player representatives, meaning they’ll be the only team without a player. Vegas’ Bruce Cassidy will serve as coach for the Pacific Division by virtue of being the bench boss of the top team in the division at the time of the Jan. 11 coaches announcement.

The skills competition will kick off the action on Friday evening at 7:00 PM ET, with the all-star tournament starting at 3:00 PM on Saturday.