3 under-the-radar players deserving of All-Star votes

The John Scott story undeniably made the 2016 NHL All-Star Game an event to remember.

What began as a bit of a lark ended in true Hollywood fashion, with the unlikely participant being hoisted on his teammates' shoulders as the Most Valuable Player.

Voting for the 2017 All-Star Game begins Wednesday, and here are three under-the-radar players we suggest supporting this time around:

Craig Anderson

The Ottawa Senators goalie is excelling this season despite unimaginable circumstances.

After it was announced that his wife Nicholle had been diagnosed with throat cancer, Craig Anderson has been taking frequent leaves of absence from the team to be by her side.

When he's been on the ice, he's been fantastic. In 18 starts, Anderson has posted a 12-5-1 record with a .930 save percentage. That he's played even better in stretches over his career to little fanfare is evidence of the fact he's regularly and criminally underrated as a high-end goalie.

If anyone is worthy of being called an All-Star, it's Anderson.

Jeff Skinner

After appearing in the All-Star Game as an 18-year-old and winning the Calder Trophy, Jeff Skinner's career longevity fell into doubt as a result of a series of concussions over the next three seasons.

The Carolina Hurricanes winger has returned to full health and top form, leading the club in scoring with nine goals and 10 assists through 21 games.

He's skilled and fun, and it's plays like this one that warrant support:

Kris Letang

Often overlooked when it comes to Norris Trophy voting and shamefully omitted from representing Canada in major international tournaments, Kris Letang deserves, at the very least, a chance to play among the game's best in Los Angeles in January.

First, the numbers. Letang is averaging 52 points per every 82 games played in his career, and he's arguably more important to the success of the Pittsburgh Penguins than anyone not named Sidney Crosby. And with 12 points in 17 games this season, he ranks sixth among defensemen in points per game.

On top of that, he has seen his fair share of hardship in recent years as well. Not only did he suffer a stroke back in 2014, he was also hospitalized after a Shane Doan hit the next year, and has missed a bevy of games due to concussion and other injuries.

Like Skinner, he's healthy and at the top of his game, and would be a treat to watch in the three-on-three tournament format.