It takes a moment after reading to digest the news that center is first among forwards in NHL fans' all-star voting.For those outside Buffalo, the natural reaction is: Who is Zemgus Girgensons? Even a few diehard Sabres fans have to wonder how a second-year player from Latvia is Anthony Zettel Jersey ahead of the list of stars.Girgensons, according to the NHL vote totals, has more fan backing that Sidney Crosby. Maybe that isn't too much of a puzzlement, considering the Crosby detractors legion.But in terms of who he is, Girgensons is second in overall votes to P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens. Habs goalie Carey Price is fourth, with Chicago Blackhawks headliner Patrick Kane fifth.Which brings us back to the original query: Who is Zemgus Girgensons?We're happy to report this 20-year-old center from Riga, Latvia, is worthy of fans' support. A compact power forward type, he is 6-1, 190 pounds of Euro-honed skill. His numbers don't wow; he had six goals and six a sists in 23 games heading into Saturday's game against the Canadiens. But this stat just might: Ozzie Newsome Jersey The Sabres have the league's worst goal differential at minus-34, but Girgensons is plus-6.The lad is having a breakout season (or at least the Sabres hope is he), turning a 2012 first-round pick, 14th overall, into a potential cornerstone for the franchise. He had eight goals in 70 games last season, and this season's pace could be make him a 20-goal man.Still, that's not reminiscent of Gilbert Perreault.So suspects someone is stuffing the ballot box. Not surprising, considering this is a popularity contest after all. Girgensons doesn't disagree."I've seen the votes. I've seen it. There's not a lot I have to do with it. It's not me voting," Girgensons told The News. "It's the fans back home. We got some crazy hockey fans back home."European fans must be flipping ballots like crazy. Sabres coach Ted Nolan agrees with Girgensons."I wouldn't be surprised if the votes are coming from Latvia," Nolan said, "but there will be a lot Joe Thomas Jersey coming from North America very shortly."That fits with Nolan's a se sment last season. "He's a special player," Nolan told the . "He's not a half-in type of guy. He's an all-in type of guy."There's plenty to like if fans away from the Niagara River will look. In its preseason evaluation of the Sabres, said Girgensons "plays Seth DeValve Jersey with heart. He should double his goal total this season. You win with players like him."The Buffalo-centric website offered its a se sment of Girgensons."Fans will begin to fall in love with Girgensons, if they haven't already. He's a big guy, a physical force, who skates smoothly and can make moves. His playing style is a mix between Patrick Kaleta, Marcus Foligno and a player that can score Girgensons plays each shift as it will be his last. He leaves each shift completely exhausted, as he consistently leaves everything he has on the ice." recently lauded Girgensons for his competitive performance, writing: "He may not be the flashiest player on the ice, but he's heart and soul guy who can provide offense and physicality."Here's the best news for Sabres fans, who need some considering how bad their team is this season. Girgensons is part of a youth movement that has enough upside to inspire confidence. offered this on Girgensons: "The more he is on the ice the better he seems to Cleveland Browns Jersey get."If his teammates follow suit, the Sabres' days of paying rent in the NHL basement might be nearing an end.