Editor’s note: This article was published before the rule of each team having a player representative was released by the league.
The NHL will be overhauling its All Star Game format ahead of the 2016 festivities in Nashville, according to reports. TSN’s Bob McKenzie said that each division will yield a team of nine skaters and two goalies to compete in a 3-on-3 tournament-style event. For example, the Central team would play the Pacific team, and the Metropolitan team would play the Atlantic team in a 20-minute game of 3-on-3 hockey. The winners of those games would play each other in a championship match-up.
With that limited roster size, team selection will be unbelievably competitive, and its likely some of the league’s best players won’t get voted to the game. In a perfect world, here’s what each division’s team would look like in this new All-Star format:
Atlantic Division
F Steven Stamkos (TBL)
F Max Pacioretty (MTL)
F Tyler Johnson (TBL)
F David Krejci (BOS)
F Henrik Zetterberg (DET)
F Jack Eichel (BUF)
D P.K. Subban (MTL)
D Erik Karlsson (OTT)
D Victor Hedman (TBL)
G Carey Price (MTL)
G Ben Bishop (TBL)
Breakdown: The Canadiens and Lightning are the two best teams in this division, and thus have the most representation on this team. Krejci and Zetterberg are both having solid seasons for their teams, but the most surprising addition to this team is Eichel. He’s simply excelled with the Sabres, and unless he slows down, he should be an All-Star.
Metropolitan Division
F John Tavares (NYI)
F Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
F Mats Zuccarello (NYR)
F Alex Ovechkin (WSH)
F Mike Cammalleri (NJD)
F Brandon Saad (CBJ)
D Ryan McDonagh (NYR)
D Justin Faulk (CAR)
D John Carlson (WSH)
G Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)
G Braden Holtby (WSH)
Breakdown: This is a very talent-heavy division, and it’s tough to pick just nine skaters from them. Some are obvious, like Tavares and Ovechkin, but some like Zuccarello and Faulk might come as a surprise to some. Zuccarello has been the hottest hand on the Rangers so far this season, and Faulk is actually one of the best offensive defensemen in the Eastern Conference right now. This team might be the one to beat for the All-Star “title.”
Central Division
F Patrick Kane (CHI)
F James Neal (NSH)
F Tyler Seguin (DAL)
F Vladmir Tarasenko (STL)
F Jamie Benn (DAL)
F Jonathan Toews (CHI)
D Shea Weber (NSH)
D Roman Josi (NSH)
D Brent Seabrook (CHI)
G Pekka Rinne (NSH)
G Jake Allen (STL)
Breakdown: The Central division could probably yield a second team of players and still beat the first team from the other divisions. They’re just that good. There are just too many skilled players to pick from. This team leaves off some very good players like David Backes, Thomas Vanek, Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien and Craig Smith. There’s no wrong way to pick this team.
Pacific Division
F Taylor Hall (EDM)
F Radim Vrbata (VAN)
F Joe Pavelski (SJS)
F Dustin Brown (LAK)
F Patrick Marleau (SJS)
F Daniel Sedin (VAN)
F Max Domi (ARI)
D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI)
D Brent Burns (SJS)
D Mark Giordano (CGY)
G Jonathan Quick (LAK)
G Ryan Miller (VAN)
Breakdown: The Pacific was slightly easier to call. There’s a lot of good offensive talent, but the Pacific also boasts some very solid defenders. Burns, Giordano and Ekman-Larsson can bring the offensive spark, as well as some stability on the back end. On the offensive end, Domi may come in as a bit of a surprise, considering his young age, but he has just looked unbelievable in his rookie season. He absolutely deserves an All-Star spot if he stays healthy. Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid would have likely made the team had he not gone down with a nasty collarbone injury earlier in the season.
What do you think? Anyone you would add or take away? Let us know in the comments!
