NHL Holds Draft For All-Star Game

Zdeno Chara went with offense in taking Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk with the No. 1 pick in the NHL All-Star draft. Daniel Alfredsson stuck closer to home, choosing Ottawa Senators defenseman and teammate Erik Karlsson with his club's first selection.

The distinction of Mr. Irrelevant fell to San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture, who was the last of the 38 players selected on Thursday night. For being the last man standing, Couture won a car and will have $20,000 donated to a charity of his choice. It was a homecoming for Couture, who played his junior hockey in Ottawa.

In selecting Datsyuk with the first pick, Chara -- the Boston Bruins captain -- said, "I love the way he plays the game."

Alfredsson's selection of Karlsson was no surprise because the Senators captain acknowledged last week that his children wanted him to pick the high-scoring defenseman. Karlsson, a fellow Swede, lived with Alfredsson during his rookie season two years ago. Chara earned the right to choose first by winning the "puck flip" against Alfredsson, his fellow team captain.

Team Chara will face Team Alfredsson in both the skills competition on Saturday and the All-Star game on Sunday.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)