Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Jack Hughes and Nikita Kucherov highlight the Eastern Conference picks for the NHL all-star game. Auston Matthews, Nick Suzuki and Brady Tkachuk round out the picks from Canadian teams. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews, Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid and Chicago Blackhawks rookie centre Connor Bedard are among the headliners for the NHL’s all-star teams.
Matthews, who was named to the Eastern Conference team, leads the NHL with 30 goals so far this season.
Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, leads the Chicago Blackhawks and all rookies with 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists), while McDavid has produced 53 points (14 goals, 39 assists) on the year. Both were named to the Western Conference squad.
Montreal Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki and Ottawa Senators left-winger Brady Tkachuk were also named to the East team, while Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes made the West squad.
The remaining 12 players, made up of eight skaters and four goalies, will be selected through a fan vote on Jan. 11.
Another fan vote will then be used to select four skaters to take part in the skills competition.
The all-star game weekend runs from Feb. 1 to 3 in Toronto.
Eastern Conference all-stars:
Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes); David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins); Boone Jenner (Columbus Blue Jackets); Alex DeBrincat (Detroit Red Wings); Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers); Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens); Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils); Mathew Barzal (New York Islanders); Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators); Travis Konecny (Philadelphia Flyers); Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins); Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning); Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals); Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres); Igor Shesterkin (New York Rangers).
Western Conference all-stars:
Frank Vatrano (Anaheim Ducks); Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes); Elias Lindholm (Calgary Flames); Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks); Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche); Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars); Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers); Cam Talbot (Los Angeles Kings); Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild); Filip Fosberg (Nashville Predators); Tomas Hertl (San Jose Sharks); Oliver Bjorkstrand (Seattle Kraken); Robert Thomas (St. Louis Blues); Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks); Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights); Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 4, 2024.
