Sterling Predictions: Ottawa Senators at the 2012 All-Star Game
Despite the fact that the team might be abysmal, it's a special year for the Ottawa Senators as the team hosts this season's All-Star Game at Scotiabank Place. With that in mind, we've got a special question in the 2011-12 Silver Seven Ottawa Senators Pre-Season Prediction Panel series: Which Ottawa Senators player(s) will suit up in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game?
As far as merit goes, it should be Erik Karlsson. However, I think it's just too tempting to put Daniel Alfredsson in the game, since it is in Ottawa. I think fans would love to see Alfie in an all-star game one last time before he retires.
Pretty straightforward question. Karlsson is the only All-Star this team has, and while he made it last year only because we needed SOMEBODY, I think this year he'll deserve it. Alfie should also make it, if fans in Ottawa have any souls, and he should be one of the two picking Captains. The only others with even an outside chance would be Spezza (if he has a great start) and Anderson.
I've got to agree with Dave. Karlsson has to be considered a lock, and if Alfie doesn't get in as one of the captains, I'd be shocked. Spezza and Craig Anderson could make it on performance, but I doubt they will -- there's too many other elite players in the east.
Totally Brian Lee. But honestly, I'll take the easy answer and go Karlsson and Spezza. I think you'll see an abundance of Senators in the rookie category. Either Mika Zibanejad or Stephane Da Costa, depending on who sticks, and one or both of Cowen and Rundblad. Whoever's rocking it the most in mid-November onward should make it.
I think Karlsson will both make it on merit and be voted in. I also think Spezza will make it on merit. After that, if Alfredsson is not voted in and gives the selectors even the smallest reason to pick him, then he will be a captain.
How did it work last year with more than one Cane making it? Was it just a matter of Carolina fans stuffing the ballot box? If that's the case, I could see Karlsson and Alfie both making it, and it being played up as a passing-the-torch moment. In fact, at the end of the All Star Game they could shoot Alfie into space.
When you have an All-Star Game in Ottawa, you have a Team Alfredsson. Erik Karlsson will play on said team.
I think we'll see three Senators in the game: Erik Karlsson, Daniel Alfredsson, and Jason Spezza. Assuming the health of all three holds up, of course.
So there you have it. We're all sure Erik Karlsson will be there, most agree Daniel Alfredsson should be, and some of us think any of Jason Spezza or Craig Anderson might be (plus whichever rookies take part in the YoungStars event). Who are you expecting to take part in the festivities?