'Buzz' Around NHL's All-Star Fantasy Draft Could Keep Format in Place

Filed under: NHL All Star Game

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Nicklas Lidstrom has played for the Western Conference, the World, and now on an All-Star team he selected himself.

Not that it really changed the tenor of hockey's midseason exhibition.

"Once you get out there, there's not much difference," said the Detroit Red Wings defenseman, a 12-time All-Star. "It was fun for me to get a chance to see some Eastern Conference players you don't get to see a whole lot."

The game remains an offensive showcase, and this time equaled the fourth-highest scoring All-Star game as Team Lidstrom earned a 11-10 victory over Team Staal at RBC Center on Sunday. There were no hits, very little in the way of backchecking and forwards didn't have to worry much about battling for position in front of the opposing net.

Teammates facing teammates, Vancouver's Sedin twins getting split up and division rivals finding themselves on the same team had little real impact.

"It's tough to get too motivated for an All-Star game," admitted Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp, who won the MVP award with a goal and two assists for Team Staal.

There's little that any professional league can do to spice up an All-Star game.

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/31/nhls-all-star-fantasy-draft-gimmick-created-buzz-could-return/

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