Eric Staal

The 2012 NHL All-Star Game signifies crunch-time for teams, and these underachieving NHL stars must be better down the stretch if they hope to help their teams. With roughly 33 games remaining for each team, it's nearing the desperation point for these men. 

Whether it be a big contract or even bigger expectations, these players must play their best if their team is to make anything of themselves over the next four months. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins rebounded from an ugly loss to the New York Rangers by shutting the Washington Capitals down. The Capitals could only manage two shots on goal in the third period and lost to the Pens by the score of 2-1.

Let’s be honest. At the highest level of professional sports the vast majority of athletes are overpaid.

Then again, if you’re among the best at your sport in the entire world you’re likely an invaluable commodity to your team. In that sense, it’s hard to argue that the very best hockey players are overpaid, especially in a salary cap system.

With that being said, this list is designed to reveal if the highest paid players in the NHL are really the best players and if they are truly worth the money they’re being paid.

The 2010-11 season for the Carolina Hurricanes was a long journey for a young team—all the way from the NHL Premiere in Finland to a home loss that finished the 'Canes just one win away from a playoff berth.

Still disappointed about that defeat? Yes, we all are. But here are some good signs for the future:

All-Star weekend was exciting, highlighted by the old schoolyard style draft between Eric Staal and Nicklas Lidstrom. Heading into the event, Staal was determined to prove he was the rightful captain of one squad. He tore up fantasy.

Calgary Flames' Jarome Iginla and Los Angeles Kings' Jonathan Quick are back on the hot list.

Who else joined them?

Begin Slideshow

Now that the 2011 NHL All-Star game is in the books, it is easy to look back and see who had the best performances of the weekend.

The weekend started with the new ”Fantasy Draft” that selected the All-Star teams.  It was a new feature than went over well.

The skills competition was the following day and it didn’t disappoint.

Of all the activities during the festivities, the actual game was the most fun to watch.  There was no defense played but it was fun to see these athletes enjoying themselves.

So was I missing what was fun and exciting about the NHL's All-Star draft this past weekend? I heard the draft process and idea as a whole were received well.

Maybe it will grow on me if the NHL uses the draft format to select sides from the pool of All-Stars again.  But as of right now, I'm not feeling it.

If the players really liked it, okay, that’s cool.  I'm happy they did.  Not that hockey players are a hard bunch to please.

Welcome to the live blog for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game Draft, I am your host, Chris Minniti, a Featured Columnist of the Detroit Red Wings.

The wonderful people at Bleacher Report asked me to do a live blog for the ASG draft and I accepted.

The All-Star Game is slated to be held this Sunday, January 30 at 4:00pm in Raleigh, North Carolina.

A little background about tonight's draft:

This is the first time in NHL history that the draft will take place.

Hello out there! We are on the air with the All-Star Game draft tonight!

My name is Chris Minniti and I am a Featured Columnist for the Detroit Red Wings here on Bleacher Report and will be live blogging the goings on for the draft.

Some story lines heading into this game contain quite the drama.

As you all know, the two captains are Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, and Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes, which is also where the All-Star Game is being held.

The NHL All-Star game is known for fluid, finesse hockey more similar to the European style than what you will see over the course of the season.

Players know that the game is all about showcasing their technical abilities rather than administering bone-crushing hits.

When the likes of Alexander Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos are given room to skate and dangle, you can be sure there will be a plethora of goals. 

Since Ray Bourque took home the MVP award in the 1996 All-Star game, every winner has been a forward known for putting the biscuit in the basket.