TIME: 04:00 P.M. EST
VENUE: Scotiabank Place
Three first overall NHL draft picks. The Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik. And dont forget Pavel Datsyuk, the consistent Detroit Red Wings forward.
Datsyuk is so admired by his colleagues that many regard him as one of the games best all-around players.
Add it up and there just might be enough bona fide talent attending the NHLs All-Star festivities in Ottawa to overcome the absence of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, and capture the imaginations of the young, old and even most casual fans searching for a distraction on a light sports weekend.
“All I know is that were missing some really good hockey players, but theres a lot of good hockey players in this league,” Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien said Friday.
“Even when theres a few missing, theres always a bunch of them that can step in and do just as well. As far as whos going to emerge as a star player … Im not very good when it comes to guessing, so Im certainly not going to throw out a name.”
Theres plenty to choose from as Team Daniel Alfredsson takes on Team Zdeno Chara in the All-Star game Sunday.
With concerns hovering over the status of the NHLs elite – concussions have slowed Crosby; Ovechkins slumping in Washington; so is goalie Ryan Miller in Buffalo.
And theres an aging old guard that includes Detroits Nicklas Lidstrom and San Joses Joe Thornton – the question is who might have a chance to grab a share of the spotlight this weekend and potentially beyond?
“For those who are really keyed on Crosby or Ovechkin, maybe it is an opportunity to see some of the other dynamic and exciting players, which the NHL has a lot of,” Calgary forward Jarome Iginla said. “But yeah, I think the stage is there.”
Three of the past five No. 1 draft picks are playing – Tampa Bays Steven Stamkos, Chicagos Patrick Kane and New York Islanders John Tavares.
Led by Pittsburghs Evgeni Malkin, the NHLs top nine and 14 of the top 15 points leaders are here.
The Vancouver Canucks Sedin twins are no pushovers, given that they rank 1-2 in the NHL in points – Henrik has 258 and Daniel 240 – since the start of the 2009-10 season according to STATS LLC.
And of the 42 All-Star players in attendance, the consensus top pick leans toward Datsyuk.
“His talent is probably as good as anybodys,” said Chara, the Boston Bruins defenseman who selected Datsyuk first overall in the All-Star draft a day earlier.
“I remember we had a game against him in Boston, and he was on a short-handed situation and made two or three guys look like Peewees. … He just does stuff that really makes you go, `Wow, that was special.”
Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard went a step further when it came to praising both Datsyuk and Malkin.
Though acknowledging his bias regarding Datsyuk, Howard believes the two are “best in the world.”
The soft-spoken Datsyuk accepted the praise in familiar fashion: with humility.
And he cracked a big smile when asked what hed feel like if he was selected the All-Star games MVP.
“If it happens, it might be I dont have any dreams any more,” said the 10-year NHL veteran and seven-time 20-goal scorer.
When it came to mentioning whom hes rooting for, Datsyuk listed Malkin, Stamkos, and then noted how special it would be for the Senators duo of Alfredsson or Jason Spezza to succeed in their hometown.
“So far its four,” Datsyuk said. “Its enough or you want more?”
For Stamkos, the All-Star game is a chance to add a few more fond memories in Ottawa, where the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him first overall in the 2008 draft.
“I remember that day like it was yesterday and probably will for a long time,” Stamkos said. “Ive had some great memories here, especially at that rink. And Im looking to create some more memories now, and Im sure I will.”
Stamkos has so far played up to his billing. Since his rookie season, Stamkos 151 career goals rank second behind Ovechkins 158 over that span, according to STATS.
That doesnt mean Stamkos believes hes in a position to supplant Ovechkin or Crosby this weekend.
“I dont think anyone really thinks of it like that,” Stamkos said. “Sid and Ovi are arguably two of the best players in the world, and they deserve all the accolades they get. Everyone here wants to showcase their skills and prove they deserve to be at this game. Its fun.”