Artemi Panarin reveals why he wasn't chosen for the NHL All Star Game

UPDATE 2: With rabid New York Rangers fans flooding social media criticizing Artemi Panarin's snub for this year's NHL All-Star Game, the Rangers forward was forced to make a statement. And it's a great one.

Panarin won't be able to attend this year's game because he and his wife are expecting their second child. So instead, he's encouraging Blueshirts fans to vote for one of his teammates to join Igor Shesterkin at the annual showcase.

Check it out: 

Yes! A baby baguette!

Read below for our earlier report on all of today's All-Star Game announcements.

UPDATE: The NHL has officially unveiled the first 16 Western Conference All Stars to go along with the 16 Eastern Conference All Stars announced earlier this evening.

Check it out:

CHI - Connor Bedard

SEA - Oliver Bjorkstrand

VGK - Jack Eichel

NSH - Filip Forsberg

WPG - Connor Hellebuyck

SJS - Tomas Hertl

VAN - Quinn Hughes

MIN - Kirill Kaprizov

ARI - Clayton Keller

CGY - Elias Lindholm

COL - Nathan MacKinnon

EDM - Connor McDavid

DAL - Jake Oettinger

LA - Cam Talbot

STL - Robert Thomas

ANA - Frank Vatrano

Incredibly, Chicago Blackhawks rookie and 2023 1st overall pick Connor Bedard makes history as the youngest NHL All-Star in NHL history.

Incredible, this kid has done nothing but exceed the crazy expectations that have been placed on him.

Read below for our earlier report on the Eastern Conference All Star list, which was released just hours ago.

This just in, the first 16 Eastern Conference All Stars have been unveiled via Sportsnet.

Check it out:

CAR - Sebastian Aho
NYI - Mathew Barzal
PIT - Sidney Crosby
BUF - Rasmus Dahlin
DET - Alex DeBrincat
NJD - Jack Hughes
CBJ - Boone Jenner
PHI - Travis Konecny
TB - Nikita Kucherov
TOR - Auston Matthews
BOS - David Pastrnak
FLA - Sam Reinhart
NYR - Igor Shesterkin
MTL - Nick Suzuki
OTT - Brady Tkachuk
WSH - Tom Wilson

These players represent each of the 16 Eastern Conference NHL teams. Each team will have at least one representative at the game, while the remaining roster spots will be filled up via fan voting. You'll notice that there's only one defenseman and one goaltender on the team, so.... fans better start voting for some players at the defensive end of the ice. 

Notable snubs are top scorers William Nylander of Toronto Maple Leafs and Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers.

More to come.