Picking sides: CP hockey writers conduct mock draft for NHL all-star game

Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara are both veteran captains, but it's been a long time since they've actually picked a team.

As a result, The Canadian Press decided to lend them a helping hand before they have to do it for real during the NHL's all-star festivities in Ottawa next week.

The league has yet to officially unveil the rules governing Thursday's draft so we didn't use any provisions for when certain positions had to be filled. We were also unable to account for any possible injury replacements that have yet to be announced.

Based on years of service, Beacon chose to pick Alfredsson's team and was given the first selection:

Round One

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Evgeni Malkin. A magical scorer who is leading the league in points. What else can you want?

Johnston (Chara) — Erik Karlsson. You passed over your own teammate? Really? He's a perfect player for the ASG.

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Round Two

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Jason Spezza. Next best thing. Paul McLean's found the secret to get him going.

Johnston (Chara) — Tim Thomas. Best goalie in the world and he won Chara a Cup.

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Round Three

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Henrik Lundqvist. I better get the best goalie this year before you take them all.

Johnston (Chara) — Tyler Seguin. Another Chara teammate with tons of skill.

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Round Four

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Brian Campbell. Ottawa guy, second in D scoring.

Johnston (Chara) — Phil Kessel. He'll look great on Seguin's wing.

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Round Five

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Claude Giroux. 50 points in 41 games.

Johnston (Chara) — Joffrey Lupul. You're stocking up on all the locals so my team will embrace the role of villain.

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Round Six

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Henrik Sedin. Playmaker extraordinaire and another Swede.

Johnston (Chara) — Steven Stamkos. You'll regret passing him over a few times. Could be the all-star MVP in the building he was drafted.

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Round Seven

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Daniel Sedin. True, but as Brian Burke would say, it's the only way to get both twins.

Johnston (Chara) — Jonathan Toews. How do you like me now? I'm loading up on the young stars.

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Round Eight

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Shea Weber. I need another defenceman. Might as well take one of the best.

Johnston (Chara) — Dustin Byfuglien. Did you forget this is an exhibition game? It's all about scoring.

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Round Nine

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Jimmy Howard. Tons of wins, great goals against.

Johnston (Chara) — Brian Elliott. Former Sens goaltender will be looking to put on a show.

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Round Ten

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Pavel Datsyuk. Elliott can only stop pucks outside Ottawa. Can't let this future Hall of Famer sit there any longer.

Johnston (Chara) — Patrick Kane. You're taking all the old guys. I'll stock up on the twentysomethings.

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Round Eleven

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Marian Hossa. And I'm playing to the crowd. Ex-Senator having a big season.

Johnston (Chara) — Dion Phaneuf. I can hear the "boos" already.

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Round Twelve

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Ryan Suter. Three Leafs, you are indeed the bad guys. Could it be Suter and Weber's last all-star appearance as teammates?

Johnston (Chara) — John Tavares. The third former No. 1 overall draft pick on my roster.

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Round Thirteen

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Alex Edler. Since former No. 1 pick Alexandre Daigle is not available, I'll stick with the Swedish subplot.

Johnston (Chara) — Logan Couture. Former member of the 67's and a future star.

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Round Fourteen

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Jarome Iginla. Everyone likes Iggy.

Johnston (Chara) — Dennis Wideman. When his phone rang with an invite to the ASG, he thought he was being traded. You know he'll give his best.

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Round Fifteen

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Keith Yandle. He may need to get used to Canadian winters if the Coyotes move.

Johnston (Chara) — Carey Price. Chara knows how good he can be in Habs-Bruins rivalry.

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Round Sixteen

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Jason Pominville. His people can drive to Ottawa from Repentigny, Que.

Johnston (Chara) — Jamie Benn. Fits the blueprint of my team.

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Round Seventeen

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Milan Michalek. Having a great season 23 goals and seven assists. Also satisfies local appeal.

Johnston (Chara) — Kimmo Timonen. A steady Finn to counter all your Swedes.

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Round Eighteen

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Jonathan Quick. Might be the best goalie in the entire game.

Johnston (Chara) — Corey Perry. He's having a good season even if the Ducks aren't.

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Round Nineteen

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Dan Girardi. In the midst of a breakthrough year, although I doubt he'll get his average 27:15 of ice time.

Johnston (Chara) — Marian Gaborik. How did he fall this far?

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Round Twenty

Beacon (Alfredsson) — Mikko Koivu. Couldn't let such a classy player be the last man standing.

Johnston (Chara) — Alex Ovechkin. I'll take him. He'll be plenty motivated.

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Team Alfredsson/Beacon

Goal: Henrik Lundqvist; Jimmy Howard; Jonathan Quick.

Defence: Brian Campbell; Shea Weber; Ryan Suter; Alex Edler; Keith Yandle; Dan Girardi.

Forward: Daniel Alfredsson; Evgeni Malkin; Jason Spezza; Claude Giroux; Henrik Sedin; Daniel Sedin; Milan Michalek; Pavel Datsyuk; Marian Hossa; Jarome Iginla; Jason Pominville; Mikko Koivu.

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Team Chara/Johnston

Goal: Tim Thomas; Brian Elliott; Carey Price.

Defence: Zdeno Chara; Erik Karlsson; Dustin Byfuglien; Dion Phaneuf; Dennis Wideman; Kimmo Timonen.

Forward: Tyler Seguin; Phil Kessel; Joffrey Lupul; Steven Stamkos; Jonathan Toews; Patrick Kane; John Tavares; Logan Couture; Jamie Benn; Corey Perry; Marian Gaborik; Alex Ovechkin.