2016 NHL All-Star Game rosters: Early look at West's most deserving

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 NHL All-Star Game takes place Jan. 31 in Nashville. The new format features a three-on-three tournament with four teams, one from each division. Arizona Coyotes forward John Scott leads the voting. But with one assist in eight games, he's hardly the most deserving candidate based on his production. Let's look at the very early merit-based Western Conference All-Star teams:

Reminder: All teams must be represented. Roster consists of six forwards, three defensemen and two goalies.

Central Division

Forwards: Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars), Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues), Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg Jets), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche

Kane (19 goals, 46 points) is playing the best hockey of his career. He leads the NHL in points and has to be considered the favorite to win the MVP award. The Seguin-Benn connection is the primary reason why the Stars lead the NHL in goals. Seguin and Benn are second and third in the scoring race with 83 combined points. Benn leads the NHL with 20 goals. Tarasenko (19 goals, 32 points) might be the most exciting breakaway threat. He is always a wild dash waiting to happen. With Wheeler’s skating, acceleration and reach, he’s perfect for the new format. He leads the Jets with 29 points. After enduring the sophomore jinx last season, MacKinnon (10 goals, 28 points) has rebounded to place himself among the league’s top offensive threats.

Defensemen: John Klingberg (Stars), Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild), Shea Weber (Nashville Predators)

With fewer than 100 games of experience, Klingberg (five goals, 31 points) has established himself as top puck-carrying defenseman in the Western Conference. Suter (five goals, 21 points) is the league’s Mr. Endurance. He leads the NHL with an average of 28:13 minutes per night. Weber’s big slap shot has already produced nine goals this season, and his presence provides the Predators with their identity.

Goalies: Jake Allen (Blues), Corey Crawford (Blackhawks)

Allen (14-7-2, 2.11 GAA, .925 SV%) has put an end to the debate about who should be the Blues' No. 1 goalie. Crawford (15-8-2, 2.22, .924) already has four shutouts, twice as many as he has registered in each of the past two seasons. He has been an underrated contributor to the Blackhawks’ success in recent years.

On the bubble: Dustin Byfuglien (Jets), Alexander Steen (Blues), Artemi Panarin (Blackhawks)

Pacific Division

Forwards: Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers), Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks), Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames), Max Domi (Arizona Coyotes)

At 24, Hall (15 goals, 35 points) could be headed toward the best season of his young career. He’s fourth in the scoring race, and tied for the lead with five game-winning goals. If Draisaitl (nine goals, 27 points) had started the season with the Oilers, he might be in the top five in the scoring race. He has quickly become one of the league’s most dangerous offensive performers. At 35, the Sedin twins are the league’s most dynamic duo in the elder statesmen division. Daniel (14 goals, 34 points) is sixth in scoring and Henrik (nine goals, 31 points) is ninth. Two years ago, no one was completely convinced the smallish Gaudreau’s skill would translate to the NHL and now he is seventh in the scoring race with 32 points in 30 games. Only 30 games into his NHL career, Domi (10 goals, 25 points) is already the Coyotes’ flag carrier up front.

Defensemen: Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings), Alexander Edler (Canucks), Sami Vatanen (Anaheim Ducks)

Although he has never won a Norris, many around the NHL believe Doughty (four goals, 17 points) is the best all-around defenseman. He plays almost 28 minutes per game. Edler (six goals, 17 points) leads Vancouver defensemen in points, and is second in hits and blocked shots. The Ducks have underachieved, but Vatanen is third on the team in points. He’s been a plus player on a team with many minus ones.

Goalies: Jonathan Quick (Kings), Martin Jones (San Jose Sharks)

Quick (16-8-0, 2.28, .915) has been a primary reason why the Kings have a substantial lead in the Pacific. He’s the centerpiece of their defensive excellence. The acquisition of Jones (13-10-1, 2.24 GAA, .920) has provided the Sharks an added spark this season. He can be a game-changer.

On the bubble: Jeff Carter (Kings), Joe Pavelski (Sharks), T.J. Brodie (Flames)

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