NHL All-Star Ballot: Your Guide To Filling out the Best Ballot

The NHL released the official 2012 NHL All-Star ballot today ready for fans to begin voting, online, beginning November 14^th. The voting ends on January 4^th, 2012 with the top six vote-getters by position getting an invite to the game.

Fans can review the ballot now and begin to make the tough choices on who their vote should go to.

Every fan has a different view on how to vote for the All-Star game.

For some, they merely vote for their favorite players, or every player that is on the ballot from their favorite team. This doesn’t always result in the best team, merely the most popular players.

Others, the nerdy purists, vote for the players who have had the best start to the season. They feel that is what the All-Star game should be about: Who is actually having an All-Star year.

Yet there are still others who use their vote to reward past greatness. The NHL is aware of this, and the importance of ratings, and have put Sidney Crosby on the ballot, despite the fact he has not played a single game this season.

Which camp do you fall into?

The correct way to do it is to award the guys who are having the best seasons so far. End. Of. Story.

To help you with your choice, here are the proper selections for your All-Star ballot. Now, these selections are as of today. Yes, it’s early and yes things will change, but why not get ahead of the game?

You get to vote for a goalie, two defensemen and three forwards.

For the purpose of this article we are going to break down the forwards by position.

On the oft chance you disagree, and really if you do take a long hard look in the mirror, feel free to post your selections in the comments.

Goalie

Nikolai Khabibulin—Coming into the season most pundits had already written off the Bulin Wall as he struggled last year. So far this year, he is perhaps the key figure in the Oilers' early-season resurgence. Khabibulin has a 7-0-2 record, a save percentage of .964 and a microscopic goals against of 0.98.

If those aren’t All-Star numbers, then we’re not sure what are.

Honorable Mention:

Jonathan Quick—Quick has led the Kings to a solid start and is 6-3-3 with a save percentage of .936 and an impressive 1.87 goals against average. If he can keep up that play in the postseason the Kings are going to be tough to deal with.

Defenseman

Marc-Andre Bergeron—The Lightning blueliner is off to a fabulous start this season with 16 points and a plus-five rating. While plus-minus ratings can be deceiving, the fact he is in the plus while playing big minutes for a team that is struggling to keep the puck out of their net speaks to how good he has been.

Now, for some reason, the NHL has left Bergeron off the ballot, which is a mistake. He should be on and get the vote.

Plus, we all know that offensive defenseman is who end up in the All-Star game, Bergeron gets the nod.

Alex Edler—Edler may be the best defenseman that nobody knows about. That is due to playing for a West Coast team that is loaded with bigger names and his quiet demeanor. But he has played 15 games this year and has 15 points. That’s not too shabby.

He can throw the body around as well, not that anyone has ever thrown a check in the All-Star game.

Honorable Mention:

Sheldon Souray—Making a statement comeback, he’s got 13 points and is plus-11.

Kris Letang—Off to a great start with 13 points, and is money in the shootout.

Center/Centre

Anze Kopitar—All offseason it just felt like Kopitar was primed for a great season. So far he hasn’t disappointed.

He has potted eight goals and 18 points so far for the Kings. Many thought he would miss Ryan Smyth, but he is showing that to be not an issue at all.

Besides all that, he wears a cool shaded visor which makes him look mean out there. Why don't more guys go with that?

Honorable Mention:

Nicklas Backstrom—Off to a good start, after a subpar year last year, with 19 points so far.

Left Wing

Thomas Vanek—Owner of a big paycheck, Vanek is earning every dollar so far this year. He is off to a great start leading Buffalo with 18 points and 10 big goals.

He has always been somewhat under-rated as a player, which is perhaps due to playing all the way up in Buffalo. Whatever the reason, his play is making noise this year and he should be your choice as All-Star left winger.

Honorable Mention:

Daniel Sedin—Last year’s Art Ross winner is at it again this season. Sedin also has 18 points and six goals and once again has the Canucks' top line flying high.

Right Wing

Phil Kessel—Is there any other doubt? Kessel, who was the butt of many jokes for being selected last at the All-Star draft last year, is off to an incredible start. He is leading the surprising Maple Leafs with 11 goals and 22 points. Not to mention his plus-10 start on the other end.

His start has people wondering if he can pot 50 goals this year and if his name is destined to be on the Hart Trophy. Before all that, he should be the starting winger in the All-Star game.

Honorable Mention:

Claude Giroux—With all the changes in Philadelphia, a lot was expected of Giroux this year. He hasn’t disappointed with 19 points and nine goals.

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