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What the NHL All-Star teams would look like right now

Ed Mulholland / USA TODAY Sports

What was widely expected was confirmed Wednesday, as the NHL announced it would go to a 3-on-3 bracket-style tournament (with built-in incentives) for the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.

So naturally, 10 weeks before the league's latest bold stroke gets underway, it's time to pick teams.

Here's who we think should be selected based on individual performances through the season's first six weeks, and the tight selection parameters guaranteed to make the process of formulating these rosters quite difficult.

Atlantic

Player Team
Max Pacioretty Montreal Canadiens
Brendan Gallagher Montreal Canadiens
David Krejci Boston Bruins
Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan O'Reilly Buffalo Sabres
Dylan Larkin Detroit Red Wings
P.K. Subban Montreal Canadiens
Erik Karlsson Ottawa Senators
Morgan Rielly Toronto Maple Leafs
Carey Price Montreal Canadiens
Roberto Luongo Florida Panthers

Notes:

  • Ottawa has four forwards under consideration - including Bobby Ryan, who's on pace to reach a career-best point total - but Gallagher, the co-leading scorer on far and away the best team in the division, gets the nod.
  • O'Reilly edges rookie Jack Eichel (though it would probably be more entertaining the other way), but Larkin is chosen over Zetterberg by virtue of his far superior even-strength production.
  • Patrice Bergeron is one of three in the Atlantic scoring at a point-per-game pace, but he fails to squeeze on. No room for Jaromir Jagr, either.
  • Rielly, Luongo, and even Stamkos, to a certain extent, are chosen to ensure each team is represented.

Metropolitan

Player Team
Alex Ovechkin Washington Capitals
Evgeny Kuznetsov Washington Capitals
John Tavares New York Islanders
Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins
Mike Cammalleri New Jersey Devils
Brandon Saad Columbus Blue Jackets
John Carlson Washington Capitals
Justin Faulk Carolina Hurricanes
Mark Streit Philadelphia Flyers
Henrik Lundqvist New York Rangers
Marc-Andre Fleury Pittsburgh Penguins

Notes:

  • The Metro's co-leading scorer, Kuznetsov, makes it over Nicklas Backstrom with his two 3-on-3 overtime winners and 10 primary assists.
  • Cammalleri, too, is selected with a division-best 18 points, but other co-leader, Mats Zuccarello (and every other Rangers player for that matter) is overshadowed by Lundqvist.
  • Saad, Faulk, and Streit crack the roster to ensure each team is represented.

Central

Player Team
Tyler Seguin Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn Dallas Stars
Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks
Vladimir Tarasenko St. Louis Blues
Blake Wheeler Winnipeg Jets
Nathan MacKinnon Colorado Avalanche
John Klingberg Dallas Stars
Ryan Suter Minnesota Wild
Roman Josi Nashville Predators
Jake Allen St. Louis Blues
Pekka Rinne Nashville Predators

Notes:

  • Suter makes the team over Shea Weber, despite best efforts to include as many Predators as possible.
  • Tarasenko, Wheeler, and MacKinnon edge Blackhawks rookie Artemi Panarin, preventing the Central roster from hosting the NHL's two deadliest duos.

Pacific

Player Team
Jeff Carter Los Angeles Kings
Tyler Toffoli Los Angeles Kings
Taylor Hall Edmonton Oilers
Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flames
Joe Pavelski San Jose Sharks
Daniel Sedin Vancouver Canucks
Drew Doughty Los Angeles Kings
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Arizona Coyotes
Brent Burns San Jose Sharks
Frederik Andersen Anaheim Ducks
Jonathan Quick Los Angeles Kings

Notes:

  • Yes, the Sedins have been split. Daniel gets the nod over Henrik with more goals, assists, and both power play and even strength points.
  • Max Domi received consideration, but in the end Ekman-Larsson couldn't be excluded.
  • Martin Jones has better numbers than both Andersen and Quick, but the Ducks needed a representative, and Quick's been much better over the last month.

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