NHL All-Star Draft 2012: 3 Reasons This All-Star Game Format Is the Best

Last year the NHL decided to change the way the All-Star teams were chosen by using a fantasy draft format, and it's one of the best decisions the league has ever made regarding the All-Star game.

This format is the best the NHL has ever used. Others included East vs. West and North America vs. World, but the fantasy draft is clearly the best format.

All-Star games are oftentimes a joke due to the lack of competitiveness and interest from the players, but the fantasy draft format brings a new and exciting element to the event.

Let's look at three reasons this format is the best.

1) Using the Fantasy Draft Format Creates Exciting Line Combinations

With the East/West and North America/World formats, certain players would always be paired with one another. In the fantasy draft format, the different teams that can be created result in some awesome line combinations. West players can play with East players, and teammates can be on opposite teams.

Players teaming up with guys they have never played with, former teammates or friends creates a more enjoyable experience for these All-Stars.

With this format, each All-Star game will have new teams and line combinations, making the game refreshing each season.

2) The Fantasy Draft Is the Highlight of the Weekend

The fantasy draft is the topic of discussion before and even after the NHL All-Star Game takes place, proving how popular of a format it is.

As soon as the starters are announced via fan voting and the captains are named, the debate between who the captains will take first creates anticipation and buzz leading up to the actual draft.

Per USA Today:

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"Going into last year's game, the draft was the story, and coming out of it, the draft was the story," NBC analyst Ed Olczyk said. "It superseded the game, the skills and everything else. Anytime you can spice it up like that, it's a real positive."

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Debating over who players will take because of friendships and team loyalties, as well as who they will not take because of rivalries, adds some intrigue to the process.

3) The Players Enjoy the Format

By watching the fantasy draft last season, it was clear the players enjoyed the format. Taking their teammates and playing with old friends was a great experience for many of them.

Listening to whom the captains want to pick is pretty cool, and seeing the players laugh during the process showed they were having fun. Draft night just adds to the excitement of NHL All-Star weekend.

The captains who choose the teams really take this seriously, and no doubt plan some of their strategy before the draft.

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"(Chara) is excited to put on his GM hat," said his agent, Matt Keator. "When his playing days are over, he may want to get into NHL management, so this is good training for him. He is very organized, has a plan in mind and will do a good job with his assistants in picking the best team."

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Follow Nicholas Goss on Twitter for NHL/Bruins news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.