TORONTO

The NHL all-star game will have a new format this season, a source has told The Canadian Press.

A mini three-on-three tournament will replace the traditional game for the 2016 event in January in Nashville.

Two teams from the Eastern Conference will face off and two teams from the West will face off with the winners meeting for the championship.

An official announcement is expected Wednesday.

The NHL had been considering changes to the all-star format and needed approval from the Players' Association.

According to reports, the popular Friday night player draft will be scrapped.

Three-on-three overtime is in its first season of existence and has drawn mostly positive reviews, though all-stars Erik Karlsson and Dustin Byfuglien have come out against it.

The NHL all-star game has gone through several formats, most recently the past three times featuring two captains picking teams.

Others have included the East vs. the West, North America vs. the World, the Wales Conference vs. the Campbell Conference, all-stars vs. Stanley Cup champions and NHL players against the Soviet Union.

The first all-star three-on-three tournament will take place Sunday, Jan. 31 at Bridgestone Arena.

The skills competition, slated for Saturday, Jan. 30, is still expected take place.