Evgeni Malkin to miss All-Star Game with lower body injury

So what happens when the NHL loses one of its biggest All-Stars almost right before the weekend and its festivities?

Who knows (or at least it hasn't happened since 2012 in Ottawa), but we're about to find out with Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin set to miss the game with what the team called a "lower body" injury. From the Pens...

Malkin left briefly in the second period of Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia to meet with trainers. He was able to return to action and finished the rest of the game. However, Malkin was unable to play on Wednesday vs. Chicago after he tested his injury during warmups and it was determined that he would not be able to go.

So which player will be called to play on short notice -- code for "so don't go to the Bahamas or Cabo. Come to Columbus instead!"

Maybe it would have to be a Blue Jackets forward who hasn't skipped town yet? Brandon Dubinsky? Bring back Derick Brassard who used to play here?

There's also the question about Sergei Bobrovksy who Columbus Dispatch beat scribe Aaron Portzline reports is having an MRI today and that he "can't imagine" Bobrovsky takes part this weekend. That would be a shame, simply because Bobrovsky is an incredible talent, and would be fun to watch in his NHL hometown.

If you're an NHL player would you want to change your vacation plans? It's a big honor, obviously to replace a guy who was picked ahead of you. But Cabo is Cabo ...

- - - - - - -

Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY