Teemu Selanne hands All-Star torch to Corey Perry

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Really, it wasn’t as though Teemu Selanne expected to be treated like a humanitarian for bypassing the NHL All-Star Game and pushing for the selection of Ducks teammate Corey Perry.

Selanne said, joking: “Old guy has to rest.”

It made complete sense. At 41, he’s been there and done that in terms of the All-Star Game. Players have often begged off All-Star duties for differing reasons through the years, and it’s an awfully long haul from Southern California to Ottawa for the All-Star weekend.

“I think it’s a young guy’s turn,” Selanne said Thursday morning in Calgary, Canada. “Obviously we have an MVP on our team, so it’s better that Perry goes there. He’s the man. The MVP should go. It’s better that he be there.”

So does Perry owe him a steak dinner?

Selanne, laughing, said: “I owe him dinner.”

The decision was not difficult.

“It’s very easy,” Selanne said. “I’ve been there many times. Honestly, I think it’s a great opportunity for young players, and again, Perry was [the NHL] MVP last year.”

Said Perry: “He [Selanne] says it could be his last year, whatever it is, his last kick at the All- Star Game. It surprised me. But that’s the way he is .... It means something to me and shows what kind of guy he is.”

The Flames’ representative for the All-Star game will be their captain, Jarome Iginla. That announcement coincided with Iginla landing on Sports Illustrated’s player poll of the most overrated in the league. Granted, the sample size was fairly small; 161 players were polled, and he was No. 12 on the survey. Toronto’s DionPhaneuf was No. 1 and the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin No. 2.

“I was pretty impressed with the players that were on there. That wouldn’t be a bad team ,” Iginla said. “I thought there were some pretty good players, pretty good company

He was not unduly bothered and got off a good line.

“I didn’t take too much offense,” Iginla said. “I thought it was a pretty good collection .... It’s not like we’re all ... dogs, you know.”

ALSO:

Kings GM Dean Lombardi apologizes for slamming Oilers

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick takes All-Star honor in stride

Former coach Terry Murray: Kings could be team to reckoned with

-- Lisa Dillman in Calgary, Canada