There won’t be an All-Star Game this season due to the two-week break in the schedule for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Just as well – with how much the format has changed in recent years, it’s hard to know what the event would have even looked like.
But roster debate is always fun, and just because there’s no actual event this year doesn’t mean it’s worth looking at who would have been worthy selections. For this exercise, I went back to the division-based format as compared to 2024’s player-led fantasy draft for obvious reasons. I kept the likely 3-on-3 play in mind and went for nine skaters and three goalies for each division, just like how last year’s rosters shook out. I also tried to keep defense selections to a minimum in line with how things have trended over the past few years. The one-player-per-team rule was also kept intact.
Who would be on your teams? Any glaring omissions or bad inclusions on the list below? Discuss in the comments.
Atlantic Division
F – Aleksander Barkov (Panthers)
F – Nikita Kucherov (Lightning)
F – Mitch Marner (Maple Leafs)
F – David Pastrňák (Bruins)
F – Brayden Point (Lightning)
F – Sam Reinhart (Panthers)
F – Nick Suzuki (Canadiens)
F – Tage Thompson (Sabres)
D – Victor Hedman (Lightning)
G – Anthony Stolarz (Maple Leafs)
G – Cam Talbot (Red Wings)
G – Linus Ullmark (Senators)
Metropolitan Division
F – Jesper Bratt (Devils)
F – Sidney Crosby (Penguins)
F – Jack Hughes (Devils)
F – Travis Konecny (Flyers)
F – Anders Lee (Islanders)
F – Martin Nečas (Hurricanes)
F – Alex Ovechkin (Capitals)
F – Artemi Panarin (Rangers)
D – Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets)
G – Jacob Markström (Devils)
G – Igor Shesterkin (Rangers)
G – Logan Thompson (Capitals)
Central Division
F – Connor Bedard (Blackhawks)
F – Kyle Connor (Jets)
F – Matt Duchene (Stars)
F – Filip Forsberg (Predators)
F – Kirill Kaprizov (Wild)
F – Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche)
F – Mikko Rantanen (Avalanche)
F – Robert Thomas (Blues)
D – Cale Makar (Avalanche)
G – Filip Gustavsson (Wild)
G – Connor Hellebuyck (Jets)
G – Karel Vejmelka (Utah)
Pacific Division
F – Macklin Celebrini (Sharks)
F – Leon Draisaitl (Oilers)
F – Jack Eichel (Golden Knights)
F – Jonathan Huberdeau (Flames)
F – Anže Kopitar (Kings)
F – Connor McDavid (Oilers)
F – Mark Stone (Golden Knights)
D – Quinn Hughes (Canucks)
D – Shea Theodore (Golden Knights)
G – Joey Daccord (Kraken)
G – Lukáš Dostál (Ducks)
G – Adin Hill (Golden Knights)
Overall would take central division, surprised too see Vejmelka above Otter though
I’d go with Saros as Nashville’s representative in the Central & then have Keller as Utah’s. I’d also probably have Marchand instead of Pastrnak in the Atlantic. Pasta has a couple of more points than Marchand, but Marchand has been a better overall player
Wow! 4 Golden Knights?
Forgot how much I hate the ASG.
Hold a cocktail party for the sponsors and stop wasting the fans’ time.
The 4 Nations thing is pointless, but at least the hockey should be good. The ASG is utterly worthless to anyone but Bill and Gary.
Guess the Sabres had to send someone. @66, which is the worst of the some stars games? I vote NBA