NHL Predictions 2012: Picking the 42 Players Who Will Make the All-Star Game

The NHL All-Star Game took on a wildly different format this season. Instead of doing the tired "East vs. West" or the imbalanced "North America vs. The World" format, the NHL decided to be a real trendsetter.

Capitalizing on the popularity of Fantasy Sports, the league had Eric Staal and Nicklas Lidstrom draft teams from the NHL's best to compete against one another.

Everyone except for Phil Kessel—the man who was picked last—seemed to enjoy this new format. I imagine that the NHL will continue with it this year as the midseason classic comes to Ottawa in January.

But who will be the captains? Who will miss the cut? Who will be picked last?

The NHL rules make sure that every team is represented in either the actual game or as one of the rookies in the skills competition. I was able to pick a player from each team, except the Florida Panthers, who I am certain will have Erik Gudbranson as one of their rookies.

Here is my best guess as to the answers of these questions...

The Captains

The league has a big choice for whom to make the captains of the two teams.

Could Lidstrom and Staal be brought back for a rematch of last year? How about reigning MVP Corey Perry? Or one—or both—of the Sedin twins? Budding superstar Steven Stamkos? Respected captains like Jonathan Toews, Shea Weber or Zdeno Chara? Home-team legend Daniel Alfredsson?

The answer to me seems obvious—Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.

These are the two most marketable players in the league, and it seems logical to market the heck out of them at a big event like this. The only possible thing stopping it is if Crosby does not play within the first few weeks of the season. That's when I could see Stamkos working as their backup plan.

The Alternates

Last year the league chose Mike Green, Ryan Kesler, Martin St. Louis and Patrick Kane to work as the alternates. These choices seemed a little strange at first, but it appears as if they were taken to influence their respective captains and add some intrigue to the draft.

All four players have superstars on their team who all could have gone first. It also added a chance of having teammate vs. teammate, which adds much intrigue to this whole setup.

It seems like we can eliminate the other "maybes" for captaincy on this ground, which brings me to...

Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks – He was the first defenseman drafted last year, so it seems like he should get the honour of being an alternate. I'll put him on Team Crosby.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins – I sort of struggled with this one the most. Each team is spotted one defenseman, so he seems like the most likely one to join Keith in the spot. If Thomas is playing nearly as well as he did last season, he'll add an element there to influence the draft. He'll go with Team Ovie.

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks — If he is able to stay healthy this year, he should put up some big numbers. He adds the intrigue of "where do we take Perry?" I'll add him to Team Ovie as well.

Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators – This is a combination of a legacy pick and a way to suck up the hometown fans. He'll join Team Crosby.

This gives us a clear fan favourite and a clear villain, something that always seems to be lacking in All-Star Games. Sydney Crosby is a borderline deity in Canada. Team him up with a Senators legend and having them go against a team with Chara—who is hated in nearby Montreal—and a member of the team that beat the Sens in the 2007 final and we have a WWE-style face-heel dynamic!

Goaltenders

Goalies are the hardest position to predict in hockey, and perhaps all of sports. In 2010 both Tim Thomas and Carey Price watched the last games of the season from the bench, and both ended up playing in the All-Star game while spring-time heroes Michael Leighton and Jaroslav Halak struggled last year.

But since I committed to writing something, I have got to go full in...here are the players who I think will make the cut.

Honourable Mention: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators; Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes; Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins; Thomas Vokoun, Washington Capitals; Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks. 

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers — He is the early-season favourite for the Vezina for a reason. 

Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins — He went from hero in 2009 to scapegoat in 2010 back to hero in 2011. I think the roller coaster has plateaued, for one more year at least.

Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres — Snapped back to reality after an unreal 2009-2010 season. I expect him to bounce back this season, especially with the most improved defense in the league helping him look even better this season.

Ilya Bryzgalov, Philadelphia Flyers — Finally a starting goalie the Flyers can be proud of! He looks lights out in the opening game, and I expect that to continue. He will have a great cast in front of him and should rack up some big numbers this year.

Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens – He should have another great year that should earn him considerable Vezina buzz.

Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis Blues – He started out great last year, but began to struggle as the season went on. I think that he'll level out a bit this year and should be the Blues representative at the big event.

Defense: Part 1

Defensemen who tend to get selected for this event are the more flashy offensive types, with a few exceptions here and there.

The first five defensemen joining Duncan Keith and Zdeno Chara for this even should be...

Honourable Mention: Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators; Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers; Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets; Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins; Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues; Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks; Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres; PK Subban, Montreal Canadiens

Mike Green, Washington Capitals – The preeminent offensive defensman in the league should bounce back after a subpar season last year.

Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings — He'll earn his big contract this year. Don't you worry about that.

Shea Weber, Nashville Predators — See above.

Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks — Should have no trouble adjusting to his new surroundings, I see him putting up big points this year.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings — Will this be the legend's final All-Star game? How many times have we asked that?

Defense: Part 2

Rounding out the back end should be...

Tobias Enstrom, Winnipeg Jets — One of the least flashy All-Stars in the league. He was scheduled to participate in the event last year, but an injury forced him to take a break from it. He should have a great year this year, and will be a great representative for the NHL's newest team.

Keith Yandle, Phoenix Coyotes — Sure, the loss of Bryzgalov may hurt his plus/minus, but he's still one heck of a player.

Ryan Whitney, Edmonton Oilers — He had an amazing start last year before injuries. I think he'll do great this year as everyone on this young team improves.

Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs — He's sure to hear the boo birds at Scotiabank Place, but he's also sure to have a good season.

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators — Made the All-Star team last year and would no doubt make it in front of his home fans.

Forwards: Part 1

These guys are the real reason fans turn out to see this game, isn't it? Defensive specialists need not apply since this is a game we want to end 11-10, just like last year.

I've already speculated that Crosby, Ovechkin, Getzlaf and Alfredsson will be participating, leaving us with 20 forwards left.

Honourable Mention: Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks; Brad Richards, New York Rangers; Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings; Jeff Carter, Columbus Blue Jackets; Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals; Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes; Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers; Tomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres; Martin Havlat, San Jose Sharks; Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs; Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning —The third most marketable, and arguably most talented, player in the league. He should be considered a favourite to be drafted first overall if he is not a captain. The thought of he and Crosby playing together should get Canadians excited for the 2014 Olympics.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins — He has looked unstoppable in the preseason and has to be an early favourite for the Art Ross Trophy. Consider his spot on one of these teams all but locked up.

Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks — The reigning Art Ross winner will play and probably be drafted in the first five rounds, again.

Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks — ...and he'll probably be drafted right after Daniel, again. This year, I hope that they switch jerseys during intermission. How classic would that be? Although maybe they did it last year and nobody noticed...

Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks — Last year, he was taken 29th overall in the draft. Expect him to go much, much higher this year.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning — He never seems to stop, and I don't imagine he will in 2012.

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings — Was an injury away from being named to the team last year. A healthy Datsyuk is a scary, scary thing for the Western Conference and whichever team doesn't draft him.

Forwards: Part 2

And the next batch of players joining those Super Stars will be...

Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes — Last year's home-team captain will certainly represent the Hurricanes for the fifth straight time.

Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks — One of the youngest, and most respected, captains in the league seems like a lock to be a part of any All-Star festivities.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks — These two are pretty much inseparable, but which one would be drafted first?

Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals — Like all Capitals, he should have a big offensive boost to his totals from last year. This does add some fun intrigue. Where would Ovie take him or would Sid play spoiler?

Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings — The Kings are expected to do well this year, and he is one of the main reasons why. After having his name dragged through the mud during the Doughty negotiations, expect him to be angry and focused

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames — It's pretty much a given that he'll be the Flames representative at this point, isn't it?

Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets — I struggled with this one. I really wanted to include both Carter and Nash here, as I think that they will put up some great numbers this year, but if there is only room for one (as there appears to be) then it seems like we have to go with the face of the franchise.

Forwards: Part 3

Rounding out the team should be...

Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils — The Devils are no doubt the hardest team to get a feel for at this time of the year. I am of the belief that they will do great and make the playoffs, and it will be on the backs of their new captain.

Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils — He's getting paid like an All-Star. I expect him to (almost) live up to this contract this year.

Jonathan Tavares, New York Islanders — He'll have a good year. Make no doubt about it.

Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche — It's pretty amazing that he's only entering his third season; he plays like a vet. I could see him topping 80 points this year.

Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars — Benn was an absolute beast down the stretch last year, scoring 23 points in the final 23 games. I think that he'll have a huge year and could edge Loui Eriksson out as the Stars' top forward. He is my prediction to get the Kessel treatment and be drafted last.

Danny Heatley, Minnesota Wild — Surely the NHL can't resist the chance to troll Senators fan and name Heatley to the team, can they? I almost made him an alternate captain, but I think that even Gary Bettman won't go that far.

So I know I missed a number of players, but such is the nature of this type of event. Who are you most upset about me naming to the team instead of your favourite players?