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Let your vote be heard Breaking down who should make the All-Star GamePosted: Sunday December 29, 2002 1:22 PM
The NHL All-Star Game is still more than a month away, but the voting for the starters ends Tuesday. If you are having trouble making decisions on which holes to punch on your ballot, our voting guide is here to help. The players with the voting lead as of Dec. 27 are listed first with an asterisk at each position, followed by our other ranked choices. The honorable mentions are in alphabetical order. The vote totals for the Eastern Conference and Western Conference were updated on Dec. 27. You can vote online at NHL.com until 8 p.m. EST on Tuesday. So which stars should shine in Sunrise, Fla., on Feb. 2? Without further ado, here are my choices. Eastern Conference
Centers Thornton is the best all-around player in the game right now, but Super Mario remains one of the most popular figures in the sport and deserves to start as long as he continues to play. Sundin and Lecavalier both started off strong, but have faded a bit in recent weeks. As impressive as the four honorable mention centers have been, it's hard to justify them making the team ahead of the other five.
Wings Jagr might not make the top eight if the popular vote were not in effect. Havlat, Hossa and Alfredsson have teamed to make Ottawa a threat to win the East, but Havlat likely will be the odd man out from the Sens' talented offensive trio. Murray, Mogilny and O'Neill continue to fill the net on a frequent basis. Exciting young Thrashers Heatley and Kovalchuk both deserve consideration after playing in the YoungStars Game last year. And the Lightning's electric duo of Prospal and St. Louis are both enjoying career seasons.
Defensemen Leetch and Stevens will be the starters based on their reputations, but Boyle, Poti and Tarnstrom have emerged as the new guard of offensive defensemen in the East. Kaberle has become the Leafs' best blueliner, while the Bruins and Sens each have a couple of worthy candidates. Boynton, Markov and Redden are putting together fine seasons, but they likely will have to defer to the others and wait for future years to make this squad. Aucoin is also worthy of selection, but not having to be on the ice for 30 minutes might confuse him.
Goaltenders If Khabibulin can't hold his slim lead over Brodeur in the voting, he is unlikely to make the team as a coaches' selection. The Bulin Wall was robbed of the MVP award in last year's game, when a third-period voting deadline gave the award to Eric Daze prior to the World team beginning their stirring late comeback. Belfour has been sensational recently after a slow start, while Brodeur is having his typical stellar season. Western Conference
Centers Sakic is a lock to play in his 11th All-Star Game, but Modano is breathing down his neck in the voting. Recent injuries have beset those two in the past two weeks, but not enough to leave them off the roster. The Blues' duo of Weight and Demitra have both been splendid, as has Czech rookie Petr Cajanek, who centers St. Louis' third line. Peter Forsberg has been a perennial All Star, but nagging injuries and the return to the East-West format may cost him a spot this year.
Wings Stillman is clearly the surprise among this bunch, but his numbers prove he merits inclusion. The West is loaded at wing with speedy snipers Gaborik, Kariya and Naslund complementing power forwards Guerin and Bertuzzi.
Defensemen
Goaltenders Roy holds a huge lead over Curtis Joseph and is a lock to make his 11th appearance, but Cloutier and Giguere are more deserving. Roloson's numbers are terrific, but he is hurt by the fact that he splits time with Manny Fernandez, and that the Wild play a tight, trapping defensive system that helps his stats. Turco's incredible start to the season makes him the worthy starter, but he wasn't even among the 10 goalies on the Western Conference ballot. He'll have to settle for the backup spot behind Roy and second-period duty in his first All-Star Game appearance. Jon A. Dolezar covers the NHL for CNNSI.com. Got a comment, question or scoop for Jon? Click here. |
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