2016 NHL All-Star Game rosters: Early look at East's most deserving
The 2016 NHL All-Star Game takes place Jan. 31 in Nashville. The new format features a three-on-three tournament with four teams, one from each division. Arizona Coyotes forward John Scott leads the voting. But with one assist in eight games, he's hardly the most deserving candidate based on his production. Let's look at the very early merit-based Eastern Conference All-Star teams:
Reminder: All teams must be represented. Roster consists of six forwards, three defensemen and two goalies.
Atlantic Division
Forwards: Max Pacioretty (Montreal Canadiens), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins), Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone (Ottawa Senators), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Pacioretty (14 goals, 26 points) has become one of the league’s most dynamic scorers and is the only Habs player with more than 10. Larkin (11 goals, 22 points) has been a game-changer, ranking seventh in points per 60 minutes (2.73) at five-on-five among players who have logged at least 300 minutes. The Bruins have a number of worthy forwards, but Marchand (15 goals, 22 points) gets the slight nod over Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Hoffman’s 17 goals are the most in the East, and he has 30 points. This game is about offense and Stone (seven goals, 28 points) is always involved in creating chances. Stamkos (11 goals, 22 points) hasn’t had an eye-popping season but leads the Lightning in points during a dreary start.
Defensemen: Erik Karlsson (Senators), Rasmus Ristolainen (Buffalo Sabres), Dion Phaneuf (Toronto Maple Leafs)
With 34 points, Karlsson is the leader among defensemen. Ristolainen is second on the Sabres with 23 points and has seven goals, too. Phaneuf (16 points) might not have gaudy offensive numbers, but he has had a bounce back year defensively and the Leafs need a representative.
Goalies: Roberto Luongo (Florida Panthers), Ben Bishop (Lightning)
Bishop has a .931 SV% and sixth-best SV% at five-on-five, so don’t scrutinize the 13-9-2 record too much. Luongo (.925 SV%) is the backbone of the Panthers and his even-strength save percentage is in the top 10.
On the bubble: Ryan O'Reilly (Sabres), Victor Hedman (Lightning), James Reimer (Maple Leafs)
Metropolitan Division
Forwards: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), John Tavares (New York Islanders), Mike Cammalleri (New Jersey Devils), Evgeni Malkin (PIttsburgh Penguins), Claude Giroux (Philadelphia Flyers), Scott Hartnell (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Ovechkin’s 14 goals are tied for third in the East and he’s nearly a point-per-game player (25 points in 28 games). Tavares is first in goals (13) and second in points (23) on the Islanders. That Cammalleri has 31 points, ninth in the NHL, in 31 games is significant on a team that ranks 24th in goal scoring. Malkin (14 goals, 27 points) has been one of the few Penguins playing up to expectations. The Flyers are 29th in offense, but don’t blame Giroux (11 goals, 28 points) for those struggles. Hard to overlook a Blue Jackets-high 13 goals from Hartnell, even if he’s scored on nearly 20% of his shots.
Defensemen: Justin Faulk (Carolina Hurricanes), John Carlson (Capitals), Keith Yandle (New York Rangers)
Deserving candidates on the blue line in this division are surprisingly scarce. Faulk (12 goals, 26 points) is perfect for the All-Star Game; his goals are the most among NHL defensemen. Carlson (five goals, 23 points) is an offensive catalyst who is on pace to reach 60 points. Yandle (17 points) has been a bright spot in an underperforming Rangers defense group. He only has one goal, but there are few defensemen who can spark an offense like he can.
Goalies: Henrik Lundqvist (Rangers), Braden Holtby (Capitals)
There's an argument to be made that the two best goalies in the NHL play in this division. Lundqvist (.933 SV%) is the reason the Rangers’ record is as strong as it is. Holtby (.933 SV%) is a rock-solid workhorse who can steal games regularly.
On the bubble: Evgeny Kuznetsov (Capitals), Ryan McDonagh (Rangers), Marc-Andre Fleury (Penguins)
All stats via war-on-ice.com and stats.hockeyanalysis.com
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