NHL All-Star Game 2012: Chicago Blackhawks Send 3 to Ottawa

The NHL announced the All-Star reserves on Thursday and the Chicago Blackhawks will again be well represented.

Forwards Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane were all named reserves. Injured forward Patrick Sharp was passed over, probably because he wouldn't be able to play, as well as defenseman Duncan Keith.

Honestly, if you had told me the Hawks would have three players make the team, I would have guessed Toews, Hossa and Keith. I think if Sharp weren’t hurt he would have been a shoe-in to make the team.

Nothing against Kane, but he has not been playing like an All-Star as of late. His 38 points still have him ranked in the top 30 in the entire league.

At one point this season the Hawks had Toews, Hossa, Sharp and Kane all in the top 20 in points. Toews, Hossa and Sharp are all still among the top 20, while Hossa is actually ranked seventh.

Duncan Keith, while he might not be as good as two seasons ago, is still one of the best defensemen in the league. His 23 points has him ranked 17th among blue liners, his minutes played are among the tops in the league and his plus/minus has been ranked in the top 20 among defensemen.

This will be Hossa's fifth All-Star appearance, while it will be the third for both Toews and Kane.

In former Hawks news, both Brian Campbell and Dustin Byfuglien were also named All-Stars.

Like last season there will be a draft to decide who plays and which team. Remember last season Toews, Kane and Keith were on one team while Sharp was on the other.

With three current Hawks and two former Hawks it will be interesting to see who ends up on which team.

Kane was named one of the alternate captains last season and said he'd pick Toews last. It might be funny to see if Toews is named a captain or alternate and returns the favor this season.

The team draft will be held on January 26 and I'm sure it will be interesting to watch.