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So, the draft is tonight. The NHL decided to institute a draft back at 2011's All Star Game to liven things up a bit. They had already tried the conference vs. conference matchup idea, and the North America versus international bit. The two teams are now captained by two of the All-Star selections, and the captains get to choose.
This year, the captains are Jonathan Toews and Columbus All-Star Nick Foligno. Alternates for Team Toews are Ryan Getzlaf and Rick Nash; alternates for Team Foligno are Patrick Kane and Drew Doughty. Oooh, Kane and Toews on different teams! Intrigue!
Each side gets to select their own squad, which makes pre-game purchase of All-Star Game jerseys difficult - or more so than the color scheme already does. Still, it adds to the fun and it gave us this immortal moment a few years back:
Awww. In 2012 it was Logan Couture, who handled it like a champ. Who will it be this year? And how does all of this work?
A puck will be flipped to determine which team is awarded the first overall selection, with Captains Foligno and Toews, joined by their Assistant Captains, alternately drafting the 36 remaining All-Stars through 18 rounds.
Each team will be comprised of three goaltenders, six defensemen and 12 forwards. To ensure the final draft picks are not predetermined due to position requirements, each team's three goaltenders must be picked by the end of Round 10 and each team's six defensemen must be picked by the end of Round 15. One trade per team is allowed.
The six Rookies participating in the 2015 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition™ will be divided by the NHL into two groups of three. At the completion of the 11th Round of the 2015 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft™ presented by DraftKings, a puck will be flipped again to determine which Captain chooses his group of Rookies.
Tune in tonight on NBCSN at 7:00 to catch the fun, or head to NHL.com.