Dream Team for the NHL All-Star Game Skills Competition

NHL All-Stars gather in Columbus this weekend to celebrate the great game of hockey. Major events include the All-Star Game and the Skills Competition. There are six disciplines in the skills event, and today's stars will no doubt amaze fans.

What if the pool of talent for this weekend's events included all players, from every era of NHL history? How many of today's stars would be in the competition? How many would win?

Here is the ultimate list of competitors for each event at the All-Star Weekend.

NHL's Fastest Skater

Associated Press

The Competition: According to the official rules, via NHL.com, "four players from each team will test their speed, facing off against an opponent in a two-skater race. The race track is the entire outside border of the ice. Timing devices will record each skater to determine who is the fastest."

Blast from The Past: NHL history is a very large pool of talent, and there is no way to include everyone. Maurice "Rocket" Richard and "The Russian Rocket" Pavel Bure make history's team, along with "The Roadrunner" Yvan Cournoyer from the Montreal Canadiens 45 years ago. I'll round out history's team with Bobby Orr, a wonderful skater who played with several extra gears at the peak of his career.

The Modern Team: There are so many dynamite skaters in today's game there is no chance to cover everyone and not miss a name. Steven Stamkos is a vapor trail; Carl Hagelin has jet skates built-in and can absolutely fly; Erik Karlsson is a bullet in flight; and I'll take Phil Kessel—despite appearances—over Nathan MacKinnon in a close race for the modern team. Which team wins? I'll say the modern team as all records are made to be broken, but it would be a wonderful competition for fans.

NHL Breakaway Challenge

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The Competition: NHL.com tells us this competition involves six skaters and "each shooter will attempt three shots, and teams will alternate after each shot. Style, creativity, and flair are encouraged. NHL penalty shot rules do not apply."

Blast from The Past: It is absolutely painful limiting the list to six from the game's history. Peter Forsberg was money in all alone, and Guy Lafleur was from another world. Pavel Bure got so many of them it's impossible to exclude him, and I'll add Sergei Fedorov to the list for the same reason. Rick MacLeish was fast as lightning and gifted with a quick wrister that was effective, and Dave Keon was a blur with outstanding hands, too.

The Modern Team: In a clear case of going back to the well, I'll pick Steven Stamkos for this team, too. Add in Marian Gaborik and the modern team is off to a fast start. Sidney Crosby is ridiculous in every discipline so will shine in this one, too. I'll round out the modern team with Alexander Ovechkin, Rick Nash and Tyler Seguin and be pretty confident in the modern snipers chances.

Accuracy Shooting

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The Competition: NHL.com describes accuracy shooting in this way: "The goal is to hit four 15-inch diameter targets located in each corner of the net. The teams will be situated at opposite ends of the rink, and will alternate shot attempts. The first shooter to hit all four targets wins." There are four competitors per side.

Blast from The Past: Gordie Howe had a range of skills that defied reason, so I'll slot him here and expect perfection. If he falters, Wayne Gretzky can ably step in and end things for the elders. After that, it's unlikely players three and four get a chance, but I'll pick Craig Simpson and Andy Bathgate just in case they're needed here. I am confident the forefathers win this competition.

The Modern Team: Talk about an embarrassment of riches, the modern snipers will have no problems with this discipline. I'll start with Ottawa Senators defender Erik Karlsson and follow up with Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek. After that, it's off to Pittsburgh for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. There's no doubt the modern players could find 30 incredible candidates for this competition.

Challenge Relay

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The Competition: The Challenge Relay has some involved rules. NHL.com: "This timed relay event—involving 14 skaters and one goalie from each team—will consist of five challenges: One Timers, with three shooters and one passer per team; Passing, with one passer per team; Puck Control, with one skater per team; Stick-Handling, with one skater per team; and Goalie Goals, with one goalie per team. Each challenge must be completed before moving on to the next one. The goal is to finish all five challenges faster than the opponent."

Blast from The Past: This is an enormous roster so I'll take Dominik Hasek as the historic goalie for his amazing skills. My one timers are Mike Bossy, Mike Gartner, Ray Bourque and Phil Esposito; my passers are Bobby Orr, Adam Oates, Nick Lidstrom and Mario Lemieux; my puck control men are Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Mark Messier; the stick-handling group is Scott Niedermayer, Red Kelly and Stan Mikita. My expectation is the historic team wins the competition. 

The Modern Team: The modern goalie is Pekka Rinne and that's a great start. My one timers are Steven Stamkos, Claude Giroux, Corey Perry and Patrick Kane; my passers are Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Ryan Getzlaf and Henrik Zetterberg; my puck control men are Evgeni Malkin, Jaromir Jagr and Pavel Datsyuk; the stick-handling group is Erik Karlsson and Henrik and Daniel Sedin.

Hardest Shot

Associated Press

The Competition: The hardest shot is exactly as it sounds. NHL.com: "Four shooters from each team will test their slap shot skill in a head-to-head match-up."

Blast from The Past: Bobby Hull is the easiest choice of the entire conversation, his shot is still ringing in the ears of goaltenders. Bernie Geoffrion also wins a spot, and Sergei Fedorov is a legend in this area. I'll round out the historic group with the exceptional Frank Mahovlich, whose windup and release approached poetry.

The Modern Team: There's no lack of quality in the modern group, and I'll name Shea Weber and Dustin Byfuglien as obvious choices. Another defenseman, Zdeno Chara is a worthy addition and Alexander Ovechkin may eventually break iron with one of his rockets. I don't know who wins this competition, but it would be fun to watch!

The Shootout

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The Competition: The shootout is a wild west show. NHL.com: "The goalies will take their place in net, and the skaters will line up in the offensive zone, facing their opposing goalie. The pressure is high, and each player is given 10 seconds to take a shot." I'll choose four goalies and 14 skaters per side.

Blast from The Past: The four goalies are Glenn Hall, Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek and Jacques Plante. I apologize to fans of Bernie Parent and Terry Sawchuk, but this is a wildly unfair thing to decide. My 14 shooters are Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic, Jean Beliveau, Mike Bossy, Mark Messier, Teemu Selanne, Jari Kurri, Sergei Fedorov, Maurice Richard and Guy Lafleur. I can't see them losing anything related to hockey. 

The Modern Team: My four goalies are Pekka Rinne, Carey Price, Roberto Luongo and Henrik Lundqvist. My shooters are Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos, Rick Nash, Vladimir Tarasenko, Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Anze Kopitar, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Max Pacioretty, Phil Kessel and Corey Perry. That's an incredible assembly of talent for both teams.