Looking at all-star fantasy draft results
Posted January 26, 2012 12:04 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With NHL all-star festivies ready to kick off Thursday night in Ottawa at the player draft, we unveil who sportsnet.ca users predict will be the top selections for captains Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara.
Fans had the opportunity to vote on their picks over the past week and the final results have been tallied for both teams.
So, here are the top picks at each position, as voted on by the masses:
Goaltender: Tim Thomas
The Boston Bruins goaltender attracted some negative publicity after his decision to skip the team’s appearance at the White House earlier this week. But voters clearly think that the bond between Big Z and his goalie is too strong as Thomas was almost a unanimous selection for this spot. The 2011 Conn Smythe winner beat out Jimmy Howard by over 1,000 votes.
Defence: Shea Weber
Weber became a fan favourite during Team Canada’s Olympic victory in Vancouver in 2010. The Nashville Predators defenceman would add another fearsome slap shot from the point to Team Chara. Weber, who just returned from a concussion injury, is putting up strong offensive numbers with 34 points in 46 games and a plus-16 rating. Weber edged out another superb offensive defenceman, Kris Letang, for this position.
Defence: Dion Phaneuf
The Toronto Maple Leafs captain would form an odd partnership with Chara. Voters seemed pretty split on Phaneuf as he received much fewer votes than Weber, but just enough to crack the list. Too many fans must have read that SI poll because Phaneuf has rediscovered his game this season and has shown the toughness and leadership that GM Brian Burke wants out of his players. That, and Leafs teammate Joffrey Lupul is an assistant to Biz Z.
Left wing: Pavel Datsyuk
Alex Ovechkin was early leader for this spot, but his dropping out left Datsyuk as the next top vote getter. The always-reliable Russian forward is having another outstanding season for Detroit with 53 points in 49 games and an plus-20 rating. While some may undervalue how valuable Datsyuk is for the Red Wings, Team Chara will be thrilled to have him on board. Even without Ovechkin, this is a home-run pick by the voters.
Centre: Evgeni Malkin
Many thought Chara would go with his Bruins teammate Tyler Seguin in this slot, but the majority of voters said otherwise. Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin slightly edged out Seguin and adds needed firepower to Team Chara. The Russian centre has been a Hart Trophy candidate during the first-half as he has led the Penguins during their recent surge. Maybe the Pens will be just fine without Sid The Kid.
Right wing: Phil Kessel
Lupul doesn’t want his boy Phil Kessel to be drafted last for a second-consecutive year and neither do the voters. It’s hard to imagine Chara being happy about this selection but he’ll have to make due. Kessel, who ranks fifth in NHL scoring, has finally shown what the Leafs thought they were getting when they made the much talked-about trade with the Bruins before the 2008-09 season.
Last pick: Jason Pominville
Perhaps Ovechkin dropped out of the game due to fear of being picked last? Without Ovie in the mix, fans turned their attention to Jason Pominville when it came predicting who Chara’s last selection might be. The Buffalo Sabres have been arguably the most disappointing team in hockey this season and Pominville is being held responsible by the voters. Amazingly, Phaneuf — who earned a starting spot on the blueline by our voters — was second.
