Around the Horn's Tim Cowlishaw and Frank Isola debate whether the NHL All-Star's new format of three separate 20-minute, 3-on-3 games resulting from a four-team mini-playoff is a good idea or just a bad gimmick. (0:48)

Changes are indeed afoot for January's NHL All-Star Game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

How about three mini-games for the price of one?

This year's All-Star Game will be three separate 20-minute, 3-on-3 games resulting from a four-team mini-playoff on Jan. 31, the league announced Wednesday.

"We are introducing a creative new format this year in Nashville not only as a way to enhance the competitiveness of the event, but also as a vehicle to highlight and emphasize the incredible skill, speed and athleticism it takes to play our game," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement.

Players will represent the Pacific, Central, Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions in the $1 million winner-take-all tournament. The Central will open against the Pacific, and the Atlantic will face the Metropolitan in the semifinals, with the winners advancing to the championship game.

Each team will have six forwards, three defensemen and two goalies.

"We are excited to see the new All-Star tournament this year," said Mathieu Schneider, NHLPA special assistant to the executive director. "It has been a collaborative effort, and we hope the fans will be looking forward to the NHL All-Star weekend in Nashville as much as the players."

The NHL All-Star Skills Competition will be played Saturday, Jan. 30.

A source told ESPN.com Tuesday that the Friday night player draft is expected to be scrapped because the players apparently didn't want it back.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.