NHL Releases Top 100 Players List To Kick Off All-Star Weekend In L.A.

The NHL kicked off its All-Star Weekend festivities in L.A. on Friday by revealing its list of Top 100 players, "opting to group them as a singular body rather than rank them No. 1-100." Meanwhile, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, who all made the list, "met briefly with the media." The three said that it was the first time they had "ever been together for such an event" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/28). Orr: "I'm thrilled that I came. I'm seeing so many old friends. ... I thought the league did a nice job" (SI.com, 1/29).

There were "some surprising omissions" from the NHL's list (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/29). The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington writes under the header, "Who Got Snubbed And Left Off Top 100?" (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/29). USA TODAY goes with "Notable Players Missing From NHL's Top 100 Of All Time" (USATODAY.com, 1/28). Sportsnet.ca's Luke Fox wrote under the header, "In Support Of Mr. 101, Who Just Missed The NHL’s All-Time List" (SPORTSNET.ca, 1/28).