Choosing the captains and players for each division in the 2020 NHL All Star Game
Let me start this off by saying that I absolutely love the three on three format of the All Star game. It is so exciting in overtime games, and getting the games best players scrimmaging against each other is phenomenal. The problem is though that this format is not able to get all of the best players. Simply put, I don't think that each team should have to be represented. Take the Atlantic for instance: Anthony Mantha will get to play instead of Nikita Kucherov, Aleksander Barkov, and Patrice Bergeron, while Thomas Chabot will get to play instead of the likes of Morgan Reilly and Keith Yandle. No one on the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators deserves to play in the All Star game.
Atlantic Division:
Forwards:
David Pastrnak - BOS (captain)
Brad Marchand - BOS
Jack Eichel - BUF
Jonathan Huberdeau - FLA
Auston Matthews - TOR
Anthony Mantha - DET
Defense:
Victor Hedman - TBL
Shea Weber - MON
Thomas Chabot - OTT
Goalies:
Tuukka Rask - BOS
Frederik Andersen - TOR
First Three Out: Nikita Kucherov, Aleksander Barkov, Patrice Bergeron
The Boston Bruins highlight this team. David Pastrnak has been a goal scoring machine, at almost a goal per game pace, and Brad Marchand has even more points than his linemate. Tuukka Rask has been stellar in net as well. Other stars on the offense will include Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews. Eichel is logging huge minutes (third among forwards behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl), and is playing superstar level hockey. Matthews and Jonathan Huberdeau have been very solid as well. Shockingly only one Tampa Bay Lightning will be represented, and that is Victor Hedman on the blue line.
Metropolitan Division:
Forwards:
Artemi Panarin - NYR
Andrei Svechnikov - CAR
Alex Ovechkin - WSH
Jake Guentzel - PIT
Travis Knoecny - PHI
Taylor Hall - NJD
Defense:
John Carlson - WSH (captain)
Dougie Hamilton - CAR
Seth Jones - CBJ
Goalies:
Braden Holtby - WSH
Thomas Greiss - NYI
First Three Out: Teuvo Teravainen, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Evgeni Malkin
This might be the best defensive group out of all the divisions. Carlson is the clear captain as he is leading all other defenseman in the NHL by at least ten points. He will be joined by teammates Alex Ovechkin and Braden Holtby, who continue to impress. Dougie Hamilton is currently tied for second among defenseman in points. Neither of the Penguins big two of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin make it though, as they have both had significant injuries. Artemi Panarin has been a great fit with the New York Rangers so far, and Andrei Svechnikov's breakout season earns his birth into the ASG.
Central Division:
Forwards:
Nathan MacKinnon - COL (captain)
Patrick Kane - CHI
Patrik Laine - WPG
David Perron - STL
Mark Scheifele - WPG
Tyler Seguin - DAL
Defense:
Cale Makar - COL
Roman Josi - NSH
Ryan Suter - MIN
Goalies:
Connor Hellebuyck - WPG
Jordan Binnington - STL
First Three Out: Ben Bishop, Brayden Schenn, Tyler Seguin
Even with the injuries to linemates Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon has continued to shine, and plant himself in the conversation for one of the best players in hockey. His teammate Cale Makar is the current favorite for the Calder Trophy, and will be a Norris Trophy candidate for years to come. Patrick Kane, Mark Scheifele, and Roman Josi all return to the All Star game after appearances in last year's game, while Tyler Seguin returns after a brief absence. Unfortunately for Ben Bishop, both Connor Hellebuyck and Jordan Binnington are in his division.
Pacific Division:
Forwards:
Leon Draisaitl - EDM
Connor McDavid - EDM (captain)
Elias Petterson - VAN
Anze Kopitar - LAK
Logan Couture - SJS
Matthew Tkachuk - CGY
Defense:
Quinn Hughes - VAN
Brent Burns - SJS
Cam Fowler - ANA
Goalies:
Darcy Kuemper - ARI
Marc-Andre Fleury - VGK
First Three Out: John Gibson, , J.T. Miller, Max Pacioretty
It is pretty easy to figure out who highlights the Pacific Division. Teammates Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are numbers one and two in the league in points, but McDavid, as the captain of the Oilers, and should earn himself captaincy of the Pacific for the third year in a row. With a bright future in Vancouver, the Canucks send youngsters Elias Petterson and Quinn Hughes, who will make his ASG debut. Despite the LA Kings dismal start to the season, Anze Kopitar has been playing really well, and has been racking up points. This is another strong goalie division, as the Anaheim Ducks best player, John Gibson, is denied another All Star game appearance by Darcy Kuemper and Marc-Andre Fleury.
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