NHL Power Rankings: Top 50 All-Star Game Candidates
As the 2011 NHL All-Star Game draws closer, we are forced to think about the stars that will make up the exciting event in Carolina.
On Jan. 30, 2011, the NHL invades Raleigh and will put forth a new product that it hopes will capture our attention. There are new rules that the NHL wants to try out this year.
They say it’s going to be more like street hockey with captains picking teams.
The following list could be the way the teams are selected. It’s my power ranking of how, if I were selecting, the order in which I’d take the All-Star candidates would look.
Enjoy.
50-46
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50. Henrik Lundqvist, G, NYR - The proverbial fat kid, getting picked last. Lundqvist will be the best player ever picked last in anything!
49. Mike Cammalleri, F, Mon - An elusive forward who could thrive with bigger forwards to elevate pressure.
48. Phil Kessel, F, Tor- A solid offensive forward with a beautiful shot. With the right line-mate, Kessel could take over the game.
47. T.J. Oshie, F, StL - Probably won’t play, but his grit and talent would make him an asset on my team.
46. Tomas Kaberle, D, Tor - Very smart in all three zones and has a big blast from the point.
45-41
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45. Jarome Iginla, F, Cgy - Like Mike Richards, Iginla is a strong forward who uses his grit to open up his stick-handling abilities.
44. Mike Green, D, Was - Another Washington point machine, Green's prowess is from the blue line and he would be a great addition to any power-play unit.
43. Nicklas Backstrom, F, Was - Anyone and everyone in Washington has been a scoring machine this year. If they can all manage to get on the same team for the All-Star Game, watch out!
42. Ed Jovanovski, D, Pho - The anchor of the defense in the desert, Jovanovski has remained one of the toughest defenders in the game.
41. Mike Richards, F, Phi - A gritty forward willing to play in any facet of the game, Richards' tenaciousness is matched only by his offensive capabilities.
40-36
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40. Shea Weber, D, Nsh - Weber is one of the best defenders in the league, in all three zones. He is a shut-down defender who will jump into the offensive zone to push the pace of the play.
39. Mikko Koivu, C, Min - Koivu could add to a second line with his knack for finding the net. He would look good beside Stamkos.
38. Anze Kopitar, F, LAK- Kopitar is a two-way forward who loves to drive the net or play the point.
37. Pavel Datsyuk, F, Det - Datsyuk has the innate sense to make a play out of nothing. When all else fails, let Datsyuk take the puck into the offensive zone. His defensive abilities are his strong suit, winning three consecutive Selke Awards.
36. Stephane Robidas, D, Dal - Robidas has been the leader of the defensive group in Dallas and he is reliable in all three zones.
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35-31
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35. Rick Nash, F, CBJ - Coming from Columbus, Nash remains out of the public eye, though his talents are world class.
34. Milan Hejduk, F, Col - A wily veteran who keeps finding his way onto the scoreboard, Hejduk's shot still zings.
33. Duncan Keith, D, Chi- The quintessential utility defender, Keith will do whatever it takes to win the game.
32. Tobias Enstrom, D, Atl - A solid defender with impressive offensive abilities, Enstrom has become a quiet force in Atlanta.
31. Eric Staal, F, Car - Staal is a big, powerful forward who can push the offensive tempo and put the puck in the net. It's also his home arena so he'll be in top form.
30-26
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30. Jay Bouwmeester, D, Cgy - Bouwmeester came to Calgary with a lot of hype and the team still struggles. He has played solid defense and has added offensively when he isn’t covering a forward's mistake.
29. Derek Roy, F, Buf - The unsung hero in Buffalo, Roy is a two-way forward who can do anything from fore-checking to goal scoring.
28. Ilya Bryzgalov, G, Pho - Bryzgalov gets no credit in the desert but he has been consistent and helped carry the Coyotes to the playoffs last year. He has carried that play into this season as well.
27. Ryan Miller, G, Buf - He has been injured, but when Miller's healthy, he has been the best goalie in hockey.
26. Zdeno Chara, D, Bos - A monster on the blue line that has a shot that can kill a man. Chara's defense is impressive for his size and he can shut down even the best players.
25-21
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25. Jaroslav Halak, G, StL - After a solid playoff run in Montreal, Halak has continued to flourish in St. Louis.
24. Joe Thornton, F, SJS - Thornton is a huge man who will make plays anyway he can. He is unselfish and uses his size to his advantage.
23. Nick Lidstrom, D, Det - The perennial Norris Trophy nominee continues his offensive and defensive dominance, even at 40.
22. Tim Thomas, G, Bos - Thomas has played spectacular and continues his storybook career.
21. Dustin Byfuglien, D, Atl - This big defender can play forward but makes an impact wherever he is.
20-16
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20. Ryan Getzlaf, F, Ana - The third of the top line in Anaheim, Getzlaf is the most elite passer and is a big forward who can lean on defenders.
19. Drew Doughty, D, LAK - Doughty is a stellar defenseman who loves to jump into the play in the offensive zone. He is amazing for how old he is.
18. Tomas Vokoun, G, Fla - With a solid defense, Vokoun would be a beast. He has a great save percentage and it will show with a solid defense.
17. Henrik Sedin, F, Van - This twin is the assist master. Pick Sedin to play with snipers. He has great vision on the ice and, if you can pair him with Daniel, you’ll have a great line.
16. Henrik Zetterberg, F, Det - An amazing forward with a knack for finding the back of the net.
15-11
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15. Chris Pronger, D, Phi - Pronger won’t be his wily self but will still be a rock on defense.
14. Sergei Gonchar, D, Ott - Gonchar's one-timer is the ultimate equalizer and his ability to shut down scorers will be needed.
13. John Tavares, F, NYI - The young center will dazzle with all of this talent. Too bad Tavares plays on the Isle.
12. Kimmo Timonen, D, Phi - The most-complete defender will shut down the back-end and open up the ice for your forwards.
11. Daniel Sedin, F, Van - The more complete of the twins, but I'd be aiming for them both.
10-6
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10. Corey Perry, F, Ana - Another Anaheim forward who is worth his weight in gold. I would assemble as much of their top line as I could if I was drafting my All-Star team.
9. Jonathan Toews, F, Chi - A good leader on the ice and an offensive threat every time he touches the puck.
8. Dan Boyle, D, SJS - Yet another Tampa Bay alum that has developed further away from Tampa Bay. Boyle is the defensive power-play king.
7. Brad Richards, F, Dal - Another fantastic passer that could line up with St. Louis and have rapport from the Stanley Cup days in Tampa Bay.
6. Martin St. Louis, F, TBL - An assist machine and if St. Louis lands with Stamkos, there is rapport.
5-1
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5. Bobby Ryan, F, Ana - Great two-way forward who will give 100 percent every shift. Ryan makes his line-mates better.
4. Dany Heatley, F, SJS - Whoever gets Heatley gets a top scorer. Ovechkin and Heatley could be dangerous.
3. Sidney Crosby, F, Pit - He will be the other captain but deserves to be the first pick either way.
2. Steven Stamkos, F, TBL - On an amazing pace, Crosby will be the other captain but it should be Stamkos.
1. Alexander Ovechkin, F, Was - The top player should be a team captain, and he will be.
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