GATINEAU, Que. -- Logan Couture, as far as he can remember, had never been picked last for anything before Thursday night.
"I'm not sure. I don't even know if it's happened before," Couture said after he was the final pick in the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft. "I've never been picked last for something, whether it's for class or a game outdoors or anything like that. Growing up, I was always one of the more athletic kids. To get picked last -- it didn't really happen at all.
"This is the first time. When I was younger, I would've taken it more personally. Right now, I just had a good time with it."
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2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Couture has good time with being last pick
Thursday, 01.26.2012 / 11:20 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
All-Star teams fall along club and country lines
Thursday, 01.26.2012 / 11:12 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
GATINEAU, Que -- Battle lines have been drawn for Sunday's 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game.
It's Team Chara, with all the Bruins, Leafs and Slovaks, versus Team Alfredsson, which has all the Senators, Canucks and Swedes.
"That's the way it should be," Alfredsson said. "It'll be a good game. There is a little bit of rivalry involved here. It should be a little bit more intense maybe more than normal. It is an All-Star Game and nobody wants to get hurt, but I know Zdeno and he doesn't want to lose. And, I'm pretty competitive myself."
Chara, who won the ceremonial puck flip for the right to pick first, went off the board and selected Pavel Datsyuk with the No. 1 pick of the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft. Chara's reason was simple: he doesn't want to play against Datsyuk on Sunday.
It's Team Chara, with all the Bruins, Leafs and Slovaks, versus Team Alfredsson, which has all the Senators, Canucks and Swedes.
"That's the way it should be," Alfredsson said. "It'll be a good game. There is a little bit of rivalry involved here. It should be a little bit more intense maybe more than normal. It is an All-Star Game and nobody wants to get hurt, but I know Zdeno and he doesn't want to lose. And, I'm pretty competitive myself."
Chara, who won the ceremonial puck flip for the right to pick first, went off the board and selected Pavel Datsyuk with the No. 1 pick of the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft. Chara's reason was simple: he doesn't want to play against Datsyuk on Sunday.
Team Chara vs. Team Alfredsson tale of the tape
Thursday, 01.26.2012 / 10:48 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
NHL.com
So the rosters for Sunday's 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game are set, with Daniel Alfredsson loading up on fellow Swedes and Ottawa teammates, while Zdeno Chara kept two Boston teammates and grabbed a pair of fellow Slovaks.
So who has the advantage, as measured by a tale of the tape? Here's your answer:
Age/size: Team Chara is notably older, averaging 28.6 years of age to 26.9 for Team Alfredsson – a group that includes youngsters like John Tavares and Logan Couture to balance off its 39-year-old captain. Both teams have an average height of 6-foot-1, which is surprising since Chara is the tallest player in NHL history at 6-9. Chara's team averages 204 pounds to 201 for Team Alfredsson.
So who has the advantage, as measured by a tale of the tape? Here's your answer:
Age/size: Team Chara is notably older, averaging 28.6 years of age to 26.9 for Team Alfredsson – a group that includes youngsters like John Tavares and Logan Couture to balance off its 39-year-old captain. Both teams have an average height of 6-foot-1, which is surprising since Chara is the tallest player in NHL history at 6-9. Chara's team averages 204 pounds to 201 for Team Alfredsson.
Thomas appreciates support from fellow All-Stars
Thursday, 01.26.2012 / 10:34 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
GATINEAU, Que. -- Boston goalie Tim Thomas was asked following the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft on Thursday night if any of the players here in Ottawa have commented or given him any ribbing regarding his decision to not attend the Bruins' Stanley Cup celebration Monday at the White House with President Barack Obama.
"They've given me their full and unwavering support and I really appreciate that," Thomas said.
Thomas wrote on his Facebook page Monday night that he believes the federal government has grown out of control and he was exercising his right as a free citizen not to attend the event at the White House.
However, his decision not to attend has created a firestorm around the reigning Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said it was a sign of disrespect to Obama and the presidency.
"They've given me their full and unwavering support and I really appreciate that," Thomas said.
Thomas wrote on his Facebook page Monday night that he believes the federal government has grown out of control and he was exercising his right as a free citizen not to attend the event at the White House.
However, his decision not to attend has created a firestorm around the reigning Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said it was a sign of disrespect to Obama and the presidency.
Alfredsson keeps Senators and Swedes together
Thursday, 01.26.2012 / 9:13 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
NHL.com
A couple of hours before the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft, Daniel Alfredsson said he would like to be able to grab his three teammates on the Ottawa Senators.
He wasn't kidding.
Alfredsson's team for Sunday's 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game will include four Senators playing before the home folks at Scotiabank Place. Alfredsson grabbed defenseman Erik Karlsson and center Jason Spezza with his first two picks, then added forward Milan Michalek in the 13th round.
He wasn't kidding.
Alfredsson's team for Sunday's 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game will include four Senators playing before the home folks at Scotiabank Place. Alfredsson grabbed defenseman Erik Karlsson and center Jason Spezza with his first two picks, then added forward Milan Michalek in the 13th round.
Rideau Canal procession kicks off All-Star Weekend
Thursday, 01.26.2012 / 4:43 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
OTTAWA -- Every NHL trophy was on display Thursday afternoon as they were paraded down the Rideau Canal in front of several thousand fans in the official start to the 2012 Tim Hortons All-Star weekend.
From the Ted Lindsay Award to the Stanley Cup, fans lined the canal to get a glimpse of all the NHL's hardware. The trophy procession featured 150 Tim Bits kids from Tim Hortons youth hockey program escorting the awards across the canal. Each trophy was on an individual sled with one lucky kid riding along with it.
Two of the many fans on hand were Ron Palmer and his young son, Justin Palmer, both of whom were donning skates for the festivities. Ron yanked his son out of school for the day, and the trophy procession is just the start for the pair.
From the Ted Lindsay Award to the Stanley Cup, fans lined the canal to get a glimpse of all the NHL's hardware. The trophy procession featured 150 Tim Bits kids from Tim Hortons youth hockey program escorting the awards across the canal. Each trophy was on an individual sled with one lucky kid riding along with it.
Two of the many fans on hand were Ron Palmer and his young son, Justin Palmer, both of whom were donning skates for the festivities. Ron yanked his son out of school for the day, and the trophy procession is just the start for the pair.
Sedins hoping to stay together for this All-Star Game
Thursday, 01.26.2012 / 10:49 AM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Kevin Woodley - NHL.com Correspondent
"If you want to talk about our play on the ice, we're on the same line and we're a big part of each other's games. And off the ice, we're very similar, too, so you can't really say that I'm one guy and he's a different guy. We think the same way about a lot of different things and that's just the way it is." -- Daniel Sedin
Henrik could care less, just so long as the novelty of splitting the Canucks' identical top-line forwards doesn't put them back in the media spotlight for a second-straight season, a situation both were uncomfortable with at the last All-Star Fantasy Player Draft.
If not, the mirror image Swedes always could consider punishing their antagonists with a switcheroo. They're both certain the only ones that could tell would be teammates.
Howard has proved he's far better than 'average'
Thursday, 01.26.2012 / 10:02 AM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Brian Hedger - NHL.com Correspondent
Back in December, a late-night radio host was telling a caller that modern-day goaltending in the NHL largely was "average" compared to the "old" days, when Patrick Roy was in his prime.
His theory was that a lot of teams now put more stock into beefing up their defense corps and learn to tolerate "so-so" goaltending -- especially if they're well-stocked up front with offensive talent. It wasn't a bad observation, because that is precisely what a number of teams appear to be doing.
It's just that one of the examples he used was Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, who, aside from a couple of rough starts, has been nothing short of outstanding in his third full season as a starter.
His theory was that a lot of teams now put more stock into beefing up their defense corps and learn to tolerate "so-so" goaltending -- especially if they're well-stocked up front with offensive talent. It wasn't a bad observation, because that is precisely what a number of teams appear to be doing.
It's just that one of the examples he used was Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, who, aside from a couple of rough starts, has been nothing short of outstanding in his third full season as a starter.
Stars' Benn excited about initial All-Star experience
Wednesday, 01.25.2012 / 8:23 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Steve Hunt - NHL.com Correspondent
DALLAS -- For the first time in his short, yet impressive career, Jamie Benn is an NHL All-Star. The Dallas Stars center has recently missed five games while recovering from an appendectomy but in 43 games this season he has 13 goals and is second on the Stars with 42 points.
Only close friend Loui Eriksson, himself an All-Star just one year ago, currently has more points on the team (43) than Benn. Eriksson was one of two All-Stars for Dallas in 2011. Brad Richards, who signed with the Rangers over the summer, was the other.
There's no doubt Benn has been front and center for any success Dallas has experienced this season. The somewhat quiet 22-year-old admits it only recently sunk in that he's an All-Star and it's something he's going to relish every minute of.
"It will be a good experience for me. It's going to be fun," Benn said. "I'm looking forward to it. (I'm most looking forward to) just the experience, seeing the other guys hanging out, it's pretty cool to be going."
Only close friend Loui Eriksson, himself an All-Star just one year ago, currently has more points on the team (43) than Benn. Eriksson was one of two All-Stars for Dallas in 2011. Brad Richards, who signed with the Rangers over the summer, was the other.
There's no doubt Benn has been front and center for any success Dallas has experienced this season. The somewhat quiet 22-year-old admits it only recently sunk in that he's an All-Star and it's something he's going to relish every minute of.
"It will be a good experience for me. It's going to be fun," Benn said. "I'm looking forward to it. (I'm most looking forward to) just the experience, seeing the other guys hanging out, it's pretty cool to be going."
Hagelin, Diaz in for Devils' duo Henrique, Larsson
Wednesday, 01.25.2012 / 1:22 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
The NHL announced Wednesday that New York Rangers forward Carl Hagelin and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Raphael Diaz will be joining their fellow rookies in Ottawa for All-Star Weekend.
Hagelin will replace New Jersey Devils forward Adam Henrique and Diaz will be filling in for Devils defenseman Adam Larsson. Both Devils players are dealing with injuries.
According to The (Bergen) Record, Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello said Henrique "tweaked his groin" in Tuesday's loss to the Sabres and Larsson has a sore wrist. Both will be staying in New Jersey to get treatment.
Hagelin will replace New Jersey Devils forward Adam Henrique and Diaz will be filling in for Devils defenseman Adam Larsson. Both Devils players are dealing with injuries.
According to The (Bergen) Record, Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello said Henrique "tweaked his groin" in Tuesday's loss to the Sabres and Larsson has a sore wrist. Both will be staying in New Jersey to get treatment.
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