LAST PICKED, BUT STILL AN ALL-STAR.  The National Hockey League tries something new in the All-Star game: rather than assign players by conference, the team captains take turns picking the teams.  That introduces strategic considerations.

Martin St. Louis of Team Lidstrom and Eric Staal of Team Staal have made mention to the fact that they would like to select their teammates for the upcoming All-Star game. Team Staal's selection committee consists of captain Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes) and alternate captains Ryan Kesler (Vancouver Canucks) and Mike Green (Washington Capitals). Under this notion Team Staal would be looking to select Jeff Skinner (Carolina Hurricanes), Henrik and Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks), and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals). Team Lidstrom's selection camp consists of captain Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings), and alternate captains Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks). They would be looking to select Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) and Patrick Sharp, also of Chicago. At the same time, the opposition may be looking to select teammates of the opposing selection committee just to throw off their draft plans.

The rules require all goaltenders to be taken by the tenth round, and all defenders by the fifteenth.  Thus, a forward has to be picked last.

After 34 players came off the board, it came down to Toronto's Phil Kessel and Paul Stastny of the Colorado Avalanche to determine who would be All-Star hockey's first "Mr. Irrelevant." Kessel earned the dubious distinction of being the last pick when Stastny was chosen by Team Staal.

"I'm just happy to be here," said Kessel, who acknowledged that the wait was nerve-racking.

He didn't leave empty-handed, however. He was awarded with a new car, and a donation will also be made to a charity of Kessel's choice.

The forwards had the last laugh, with Lindstrom defeating Staal, 11-10.  Who's the sieve?