It stands as a tangible symptom of the Devils’ near-dynasty in decline. On the other hand, ahem, Scott Stevens views the end of his 10-year streak of All-Star Games as a chance to heal his left wrist, which he told The Post yesterday has been sprained all of 2002.
Among the Devils, only Patrik Elias was selected for the World team and Brian Rafalski for the North American squad for the Feb. 2 gala in Los Angeles. Martin Brodeur was left out for the first time since 1994, and Canadian Olympic Top Eight member Scott Niedermayer was passed by as well.
“I’ve had a good run at it,” the 37-year-old Stevens, in his 20th NHL season, said yesterday. “I’m looking forward to the time off to rest myself and my wrist.
“It’s great to be recognized and it’s an honor, but you don’t get a lot of time to yourself there . . . “
Stevens admitted his wrist was sprained in a freak collision with Rafalski in Edmonton Dec. 30. He says it pains him in nearly all aspects of the game.
Brodeur has been a fixture at the All-Star Game since winning the Rookie of the Year honors in 1993-94. There was no game in the lockout 1995 season, and he made his first appearance in 1996.
“I’m disappointed to a certain extent. It had been six years in a row, and it would have been nice to continue that,” Brodeur said. “But the way the season has been going, it couldn’t happen at a better time, not to have to travel across the country and back. . . . But if I’d been asked, I’d have been happy to go.”