For those unfamiliar with the goings-on of NHL All Star Weekend, here's a closer look at Thursday night's Fantasy Player Draft, which will air at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on NBC Sports in the US.
The draft will be conducted by Bruins captain Zdeno Chara (Team Chara) and Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson (Team Alfredsson), who were elected the captains through a vote by both fans and NHL league office members.
Chara will be assisted by Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul, and Alfredsson will have Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist on his side. Each roster will consist of 3 goalies, 6 defensemen, and 10 forwards.
The first pick will be decided by a coin toss, and Chara and Alfredsson will then alternate picking the 38 All Stars available, with two notable stipulations involved: each team's three goalies must be chosen by the conclusion of round 10, and each team's six defensmen must be selected by the conclusion of round 15.
12 NHL rookies will also participate in the game, but they are unavailable for drafting. The NHL will divide the crop of rookies in half to round out each All Star roster, and at the end of round 15 of the Fantasy Player Draft, the NHL will appoint one rookie to choose which squad he and his five teammates will join.
Team Chara will be coached by Claude Julien of the Bruins, and Team Alfredsson will be led by John Tortorella of the Rangers.
The All Star Game will be played Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET, and can be seen on NBC Sports.
-- For full NHL All-Star Game coverage, click here. For all your Devils news, head over to In Lou We Trust, for all your Rangers news, head over to Blueshirt Banter, and for all your Islanders news, check out Lighthouse Hockey.