NHL names remaining 40 All-Stars for 3-on-3 tournament
The NHL has named the final 40 players to take part in a new 3-on-3 tournament at All-Star weekend later this month in Nashville, Tennessee.
Leading goal-scorer Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and teammate Tyler Seguin headlined the All-Star selections for the Central Division, which will have top point-getter Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks as captain.
The division-leading Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers and host Nashville Predators each have three players expected to go.
Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and league-leading goaltender Braden Holtby will represent the Capitals on the Metropolitan Division team.
The Panthers, winners of 10 in a row, will have Atlantic Division captain Jaromir Jagr, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and goaltender Roberto Luongo there.
All 30 teams have at least one representative.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will have center Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang, but not captain Sidney Crosby, who was left off the initial roster.
Crosby struggled at the start of the season and is 36th in the league with 31 points but has 22 points in his past 20 games.
Roster limitations - six forwards, three defensemen and two goalies for each division - led to Crosby's exclusion.
The Capitals and Panthers have the most representation because Washington coach Barry Trotz and Florida coach Gerard Gallant will also be behind the bench.
Trotz returns to Nashville, where he coached the Predators for their first 15 seasons.
Lindy Ruff of the Stars will coach the Central Division, and Darryl Sutter of the Los Angeles Kings the Pacific Division team, which has John Scott as its captain.
Scott, a tough guy for the Arizona Coyotes, was voted in by fans despite just one assist in 11 games.
A 3-on-3 tournament between the four divisions will replace the traditional All-Star Game and take place on Jan. 31 at Bridgestone Arena.
