By Eric Redner
The NHL announced who will represent the respective conferences for the upcoming 2007 NHL All-Star Game on January 24, 2007 in Dallas. Below are my picks for the starters in this year's game. Due to the Olympics last year and the lockout in 2005, it is the first All-Star game since 2004.
Eastern Conference
LW - Alexander Ovechkin - Leads the league in goals with 28 and it's looking like he will be a 50-goal scorer every season. The talented Russian is the only reason Washington has a winning record and a shot at the playoffs.
C - Sidney Crosby - What can be said about this kid that hasn't already? I still think he whines a little too much, but I'd put him in the All-Star game just for the goal he scored against Tampa Bay on January 7. The best player to lace up the skates since another great from the Steel City, MarioLemieux.
RW - Marian Hossa - Has been near the top of the points list all season long. Thanks in large part to his play, the Thrashers are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in team history and might win the Southeast Division. As long as he keeps up his play, he will finish with career-highs in all categories.
D - Brian Campbell - Leads a Buffalo defensive corps that has improved its defensive play as of late. While his scoring remains at about normal pace, his defensive play has vastly improved.
D - Marek Malik - Yes, he only has nine points (all assists) this season and it seems that the higher scoring defensemen always make the front page, but he is a plus-17 on a Rangers team that ranks 19th in goals-against. A solid player who can check and skate with the opposing team's top line.
G - Martin Brodeur - Is this guy ever going to slow down? He is just .03 points behind the goals-against leader (Dominik Hasek, who has also appeared in eight fewer games) and he leads the league in shutouts with seven. Already in his 14th season, Brodeur is almost guaranteed to pass Patrick Roy for most wins by a goaltender if he plays two more seasons. He will also probably pass Terry Sawchuk for most shutouts.
Western Conference
LW - Paul Kariya - The former Duck is slowing down in the offensive category, especially goals, but is the steady influence on a Nashville team that leads the Central Division. He leads his team in points with 47, 33 assists.
C - Joe Thornton - He got off to a slow start this season but has picked up his play of late. Again one of the league's top setup men since coming out West from Boston, he has flourished in San Jose and helped the Sharks find a killer instinct.
RW - Teemu Selanne - Apparently the Fountain of Youth resides in sunny California. Ever since coming to Anaheim before the start of last season, Selanne has found his scoring touch again and is a big reason why the Ducks are tops in the NHL in points and boast the league's second-best offense and defense.
D - Chris Pronger - Anaheim really lucked out when Pronger started grumbling he didn't want to play in Edmonton anymore and the Ducks pulled a deal to acquire his services. The former Hart and Norris trophy winner is anchoring a defense that is second best in the league and he leads the team in assists.
D - Nicklas Lidstrom - He has taken over the leadership role for Detroit that was desperately needed after Steve Yzerman retired at the end of last season. The four-time Norris Trophy winner is again leading the league in the plus-minus category (plus-23) and leads the team in both points and power-play goals.
G - Dominik Hasek - The "Dominator" continues to be one of the best goaltenders in the league and seems to have bounced back nicely from his injury-shortened 2005-06 season. He leads the league in goals-against average and is a big reason why Detroit has had success after many experts had written off the team when they lost "The Captain."
Here is the league's starting lineup as voted by the fans:
Eastern Conference
F Daniel Briere
F Sidney Crosby
F Alexander Ovechkin
D Brian Campbell
D Sheldon Souray
G Ryan Miller
Western Conference
F Joe Sakic
F Joe Thornton
F Jonathan Cheechoo
D Nicklas Lidstrom
D Scott Niedermayer
G Roberto Luongo
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