Nicklas Lidstrom and Eric Staal Utilize Different Strategy In Selecting Allstars

The NHL has adopted an all-star format that could become more than a gimmick in future campaigns.
The very idea of having captains select their team brings back youthful memories to many fans that either were selected first or last on the playground, the pond, or the rink as children. 
Not only will the selections produce what probably will be a spirited showcase of the NHL’s best players, but it also gives us a glimpse into the mind of future hall of famer, and perennial all-star Nicklas Lidstrom as well as Patrick Kane and Eric Staal. 
Examination of the individual selections of both captains shows some obvious differences. 
Staal seems to have a game plan based on a high degree of finesse. His selections of Ovechkin, Green, Nash and Kris Letang to name just a few helps visualize the kind of hockey his team will play.
Lidstrom’s selections, especially his defense choices of Duncan Keith. Shea Weber, Dustin Byfuglien and  Keith Yandle within his first twelve picks, illuminates his appreciation for two way defensemen.    
 
The matchup should prove interesting and a spirited game will be just what the NHL needs to further promote the NHL All-Star Game as a must see event.
 
Even without participants expected to play in the preseason the game will still produce some highlights.
The absence of Pittsburgh Penguin star Sidney Crosby, the Los Angeles Kings Drew Doughty and Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla will only give players like Jeff Skinner, and Dustin Byfuglien, and other first time participants a opportunity to demonstrate their skills to a national audience.
 
Here is a listing of the players in order of selection for team Lidstrom and Team Staal:

Captain(s) This is the first year the NHL adopted the new format F . Eric Staal D Nicklas         Lidstrom

Alternate. Mike Green and Marty St.Louis both provided input D Mike Green F Martin St. Louis

Alternate. Kesler and Kane made valuable suggestions F Ryan Kesler F Patrick Kane

1 G Cam Ward F Steven Stamkos

2 F Alex Ovechkin D Duncan Keith

3 F Daniel Sedin F Henrik Sedin

4 D Zdeno Chara D Shea Weber

5 F Rick Nash G Tim Thomas

6 G Henrik Lundqvist F Danny Briere

7 D Marc Staal D Dustin Byfuglien

8 F Patrick Sharp F Jonathan Toews

9 D Dan Boyle G Marc-Andre Fleury

10 G Carey Price G Jonas Hiller

11 F Jeff Skinner F Brad Richards

12 D Kris Letang D Keith Yandle

13 F Claude Giroux D Brett Burns

14 D Erik Karlsson F Martin Havlat

15 F Corey Perry F Anze Kopitar

16 F Patrik Elias F Matt Duchene

17 F David Backes F Loui Eriksson

18 F Paul Stastny F Phil Kessel
The NHL has adopted an all-star format that could become more than a gimmick in future campaigns. The very idea of having captains select their team brings back youthful memories to many fans that either were selected first or last on the playground, the pond, or the rink as children. Not only will the selections produce what probably will be a spirited showcase of the NHL’s best players, but it also gives us a glimpse into the mind of future hall of famer, and perennial all-star Nicklas Lidstrom as well as Patrick Kane and Eric Staal. Examination of the individual selections of both captains shows some obvious differences. Staal seems to have a game plan based on a high degree of finesse. His selections of Ovechkin, Green, Nash and Kris Letang to name just a few helps visualize the kind of hockey his team will play. Lidstrom’s selections, especially his defense choices of Duncan Keith. Shea Weber, Dustin Byfuglien and Keith Yandle within his first twelve picks, illuminates his appreciation for two way defensemen. The matchup should prove interesting and a spirited game will be just what the NHL needs to further promote the NHL All-Star Game as a must see event. Even without participants expected to play in the preseason the game will still produce some highlights. The absence of Pittsburgh Penguin star Sidney Crosby, the Los Angeles Kings Drew Doughty and Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla will only give players like Jeff Skinner, and Dustin Byfuglien, and other first time participants a opportunity to demonstrate their skills to a national audience. Here is a listing of the players in order of selection for team Lidstrom and Team Staal:

Captain(s) This is the first year the NHL adopted the new format	F . Eric Staal	D Nicklas Lidstrom

Alternate. Mike Green and Marty St.Louis both provided input	D Mike Green	F Martin St. Louis

Alternate. Kesler and Kane made valuable suggestions	F Ryan Kesler	F Patrick Kane

1	G Cam Ward	F Steven Stamkos

2	F Alex Ovechkin	D Duncan Keith

3	F Daniel Sedin	F Henrik Sedin

4	D Zdeno Chara	D Shea Weber

5	F Rick Nash	G Tim Thomas

6	G Henrik Lundqvist	F Danny Briere

7	D Marc Staal	D Dustin Byfuglien

8	F Patrick Sharp	F Jonathan Toews

9	D Dan Boyle	G Marc-Andre Fleury

10	G Carey Price	G Jonas Hiller

11	F Jeff Skinner	F Brad Richards

12	D Kris Letang	D Keith Yandle

13	F Claude Giroux	D Brett Burns

14	D Erik Karlsson	F Martin Havlat

15	F Corey Perry	F Anze Kopitar

16	F Patrik Elias	F Matt Duchene

17	F David Backes	F Loui Eriksson

18	F Paul Stastny	F Phil Kessel