2011 NHL All-Star Game: Predicting the Top 12 Selections

Everywhere you look, people have been preparing their mock All-Star teams. The format is unique this year. The captains pick their own teams, kind of like the way kids pick teams at school during recess. The ASG is a form of recess for the players: They take a break from their regular work and have some fun for a bit.

The format is different for picking the teams. The top six vote getters are the first ones guaranteed spots. The rest is a free-for-all, with exceptions for goalies and defensemen.

I'm not picking teams. I'm selecting the players who I think are the cream of the crop of this year's draft picks. That being said, here are my predictions for the Top 12 overall picks for this 2011 All-Star Game.

Introducing: Team Captain Eric Staal

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 5, 2011 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Ima

Hometown boy, Eric Staal, was selected as one team captain for this year's ASG. Staal is a four-time 30-goal scorer, an Olympic Gold Medalist, a Stanley Cup winner and a former All-Star Game MVP.

Introducing: Team Captain Nicklas Lidstrom

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 10: Nicklas Lidstrom #5 and captain of the Detroit Red Wings looks as he awaits a face off against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on January 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. MacDonald replaced starting goalie Jimmy Howard in

What can you say about Nick Lidstrom? Four-time Cup winner, six-time Norris winner, Conn Smythe winner, Olympic Gold Medallist, 12-time All-Star Winner and future Hall of Famer. No one is more deserving of this honour than he.

And now, on with the picks!!

1st Pick: Sidney Crosby

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Washington won 3-1. (Photo by

Provided he's healthy, Sidney Crosby is my choice for first overall pick. He leads the league in points with 66 in only 47 games. He's the most recognizable face in hockey, one of the most exciting players and one of the most liked (and disliked) players in the league.

Staal would probably pick him because they have played together 2010 Olympics, although I think it would be more interesting if Lidstrom was able to pick Crosby. They captained against each other twice for the Stanley Cup, with each man winning a Cup. It would be fun to see these rivals become teammates, even if it's just for an afternoon.

2nd Pick: Evgeni Malkin

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 08: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Minnesota Wild on January 8, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Malkin, Crosby's Pittsburgh teammate, is guaranteed one of the next five spots, and the smart money is that he'll go next. It would be fun to see them on the same line in the All-Star game, but as good a player as Malkin is, he's always been in the shadow of Sidney Crosby. The former Calder Winner might enjoy not playing in someone else's limelight and go out and have fun.

3rd Pick: Jonathan Toews

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 12: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks to pass against the Colorado Avalanche at the United Center on January 12, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Avalanche 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

At 22, Toews is one of the most decorated forwards in the NHL. The Chicago Blackhawk captain is a World, World Junior, Olympic and Stanley Cup champion; played in two Frozen Fours and was named Best Forward of the 2010 Olympics. Of the guaranteed picks, he's the only forward left and would look great on a line with Crosby.

4th Pick: Kris Letang

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 08: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the Minnesota Wild on January 8, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Letang, the Penguin defender, has already exceeded his career highs in goals, assists, points, PIMs and  +/-, and he's in the top 10 in assists in the NHL. He's played at a level he hasn't been at since he was in the QMJHL. He's developed into a tremendous asset for the Penguins and should enjoy feeding the puck to his teammate, Evgeni Malkin.

5th Pick: Duncan Keith

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 03: Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on January 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Blackhawks defeated the Kings 4-3. (Photo

After Crosby, there's a bit of a pattern developing in my picks. Pens F, Hawks F, Pens D...makes sense that a Hawk D-man goes with the fifth pick. Keith has an Olympic Gold, World Championship Silver and a Stanley Cup ring in his trophy case. His numbers aren't as strong as they've been last year, but he's a great addition to either side.

6th Pick: Marc-Andre Fleury

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 18: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against the Detroit Red Wings at Consol Energy Center on January 18, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Fleury, the first goalie to be picked for the ASG, is in the league's top 10 in GP, Wins, SV%, GAA and is first among netminders, with eight PIM. The World Junior, Olympic and Stanley Cup Champion is on pace for career highs in almost everything and deserves the All-Star nod.

Based on my picks, he'll be on the team opposite Sidney Crosby. Each would know the other's strengths and weaknesses, so this could be really fun to watch.

7th Pick: Alex Ovechkin

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 16: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals warms up before the game against the Ottawa Senators at the Verizon Center on January 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin is one of the most exciting players in NHL history. In my opinion, he's also the best of the rest of the All-Stars. With his personality and flair for the dramatic, the All-Star Game is the perfect showcase for Ovechkin to show off his skills and sense of humour, as he showed the crowd in Montreal in 2009.

He's not having the Ovechkin-type season that we're used to seeing, but he's the most logical player to go next. Plus, he could end up on a line with Sid the Kid, and you can bet one of the team captains will be thinking about that.

8th Pick: Steven Stamkos

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 09: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 9, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Stamkos, the reigning (and third youngest) Maurice Richard Trophy winner, will be the eighth pick in the draft. Because he plays in Tampa, he doesn't get the media attention like the first two picks. But few realize that he's on pace for over 60 goals this year, and because of the Olympics last year, this is his first All-Star Game, his first opportunity to showcase his skills to the entire league.

Stamkos should open the eyes of many and gain a whole lotta new supporters.

9th Pick: Henrik Sedin

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 18: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on January 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Canucks 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/

Henrik, the captain of the Canucks and reigning league MVP, will be making his second ASG appearance. He's averaged more than 1.0 PPG over the last six seasons. He's in the top 10 in scoring, yet only has nine goals. He's a dynamic player who really came into his own last year and is ready to make an impact at the All-Star Game.

10th Pick: Daniel Sedin

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 14: Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks warms up before the game against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on January 14, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Like his brother, Daniel has averaged more than 1.0 PPG over the last six seasons. He's just as dynamic as his MVP brother. Although it would be amazing if they were on the same team, I think the whole hockey world wants to see them on opposite sides of the ice. Can each twin be effective without the other?

Maybe each team should get the twins for a period each, then split them up for the third...

11th Pick: Cam Ward

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 16: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes against the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on December 16, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ward had a down season in 2009-2010, after posting over 100 wins in the previous three seasons combined. He's rebounded nicely this year. He already has more wins than he had all of last year and is in the top 10 in almost every goaltending category.

Ward may not be the best goalie available at this point, but I have a feeling that Stall will get the first pick, and he'll want to pick his Carolina teammate to be on his squad.

12th Pick: Martin St. Louis

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 09: Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks up during a break in an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 9, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

St. Louis, the pint-sized Lightning bolt, is fourth in league scoring and second in assists. The former Hart, Lady Byng Memorial Trophy and Stanley Cup winner would definitely look good on a line with Stamkos and Malkin. Imagine, two players who think shoot-first, playing with St. Louis, who's averaged more than 50 assists a season since the 03-04 season.

You Pick the Rest!

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MONTREAL - JANUARY 25: Marc Savard #91 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars shakes hands with Shane Doan #18 of the Western Conference All-Stars after the 2009 NHL All-Star game at the Bell Centre on January 25, 2009 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sa

The All-Star Game, in many sports, has been a constant source of ridicule. Many have scoffed at this year's format, which I'll admit, is unusual, even for a league that once had a glowing puck.

However, the NHL should be applauded for doing things completely out of the ordinary for the All-Star game, like seeing teammates, maybe even twin brothers, on different sides. Or, based on what I have, Crosby and Ovechkin as teammates, which is a strong possibility.

I encourage you to comment, but more importantly, watch the game. It could be the most fun game of the year!