Awesome New Format for 2011 NHL All-Star Game
So this is pretty cool… Instead of one conference v the other or North America v The World, the NHL will conduct a player draft to determine teams for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. Here’s how it works:
- 42 players were selected for the game by fan voting and the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department
- Players elect two captains (Eric Staal and Nicklas Lindstrom were nominated)
- On Jan. 28, two days before the game, captains will take turns choosing their respective teams from the pool of all-stars
- The “draft” will be 18 rounds (yes that’s only 36 players – each captain will have two alternates, also to be named prior to the draft)
- Goalies must be selected by the 10th round and defensemen by the 15th
This sets the stage for some great matchups and storylines. Will brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Eric and Marc Staal play together or apart? Will Staal pick his teammate (goalie) Cam Ward? And perhaps most importantly: WHO WILL BE CHOSEN LAST?!
My favorite, however, is Erik Karlsson v Claude Giroux, after Giroux’s brawl inciting hit in last night’s Senators/Flyers game. Here’s to hoping they end up on separate teams…
The hit:
The aftermath:
