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Thursday, February 1, 2001
All-Star rosters filled under the old format
By Sherry Skalko
ESPN.com
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The NHL changed the format of its All-Star game from Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference to North America vs. the World in 1998 for a few reasons. One was to recognize the changing composition of the league, which had an increased European flavor. Another was to build excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games, which were featuring NHL players for the first time.
Each format has its pros and cons.
North America vs. the World doesn't do as good of a job as East vs. West in putting the best players on the ice – what if the seventh North American defenseman is better than the fourth World defenseman?
"I've played both formats, the old one and the new one. Right now, with World against North America, I would prefer the old one," said Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek. "I liked the old format with the Eastern Conference against Western. I think it is better and you play the best players, the biggest stars. Maybe some teams might not be represented."
However, the new format does give the game a competitive angle – which is a better style of play? Because the East plays the West during the regular season, there is no incentive for the players to prove their conference is the better one under the old format. Proof of this came in 1993, when the Wales Conference (East) beat the Campbell Conference (West) 16-6.
"It seems there's a little more on the line, and it's a little more competitive," said New Jersey defenseman Scott Stevens. "I like the way it is now and hope they keep it that way."
Baseball has the best of both worlds. While interleague play has dissolved the line between the American and National Leagues, they are still two different entities and the game fuels the debate as to which is better. If the AL has the designated hitter, why not take the red line out of the Eastern Conference?
Here's a look at this year's All-Star Game if it were the Eastern Conference vs. the Western Conference – and if ESPN.com was filling out the roster.
Let us know if we snubbed someone, or if the NHL snubbed someone, and what your thoughts are on the NHL All-Star Game.
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GOALTENDERS
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EAST
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WEST
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Martin Brodeur, New Jersey
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Patrick Roy, Colorado
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Dominik Hasek, Buffalo
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Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose
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Curtis Joseph, Toronto
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Sean Burke, Phoenix
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DEFENSEMEN
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Scott Stevens, New Jersey
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Ray Bourque, Colorado
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Brian Leetch, N.Y. Rangers
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Rob Blake, Los Angeles
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Sergei Gonchar, Washington
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Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
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Wade Redden, Ottawa
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Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver
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Tomas Kaberle, Toronto
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Oleg Tverdovsky, Anaheim (c)
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Scott Niedermayer, New Jersey
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Mathieu Schneider, Los Angeles (a)
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FORWARDS
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Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh
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Joe Sakic, Colorado
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Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh
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Peter Forsberg, Colorado
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Jason Allison, Boston
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Milan Hejduk, Colorado
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Alexander Mogilny, New Jersey
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Brett Hull, Dallas
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Theo Fleury, N.Y. Rangers
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Markus Naslund, Vancouver
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Marian Hossa, Ottawa
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Zigmund Palffy, Los Angeles
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Peter Bondra, Washington
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Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles
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Simon Gagne, Philadelphia
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Tony Amonte, Chicago
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Ray Ferraro, Atlanta
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Doug Weight, Edmonton
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Donald Audette, Atlanta
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Sergei Fedorov, Detroit
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Patrik Elias, New Jersey
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Alex Tanguay, Colorado
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Bill Guerin, Boston
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Geoff Sanderson, Columbus (b)
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* - Starters. # - Captains. (a) - Selected to replace Chris Pronger, St. Louis. (b) - Selected to replace Vincent Damphousse, San Jose. (c) - Selected to replace Al MacInnis, St. Louis.
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Sherry Skalko is the NHL editor for ESPN.com.
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ALSO SEE
Bettman sticks with format
2001 All-Star Rosters
Shactman: Teammates vs. Teammates
2001 NHL All-Star Game coverage
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