Eric Staal, Nicklas Lidstrom captains for NHL All-Star game

1/18/2011

TORONTO — The NHL's All-Star teams will be selected by Eric Staal and Nicklas Lidstrom.

They have been appointed captains for the Jan. 30 game in Raleigh, N.C., and will lead teams carrying their names. Staal plays for the hometown Carolina Hurricanes. Lidstrom is the captain of the Detroit Red Wings and will be playing in his 12th All-Star game .

The All-Stars were determined in a fan vote, and the players selected voted on the captains. The game features a revamped format this year.

Staal and Lidstrom will select their teams in a live draft two days before the game. They will also set the lineup for the skills competition Jan 29. The alternate captains, still to be determined, will provide input during the draft.

Sidney Crosby was considered a favorite to be selected as captain, but the Pittsburgh Penguins star remains sidelined with a concussion and likely will miss the game. If that happens, it will be the third time he's missed an All-Star game because of injury. His sole appearance was in 2007.