Eastern Conference All-Star Game roster

Skinny: Lightning fans who helped get Khabibulin the starting nod were recognizing him for last year, rather than this. Khabibulin is an All-Star talent, but after a good start, his season has been little more than average. That's one reason Tampa Bay hasn't been able to sustain its pace from earlier this year. his season has been little more than average so far. That's one reason Tampa Bay hasn't been been able to sustain its pace from earlier this year.

Skinny: He's a leading candidate for the Vezina Trophy and one of the keys to New Jersey being being in first place in the Atlantic Division. The Devils have started to score a little more lately, but for the first three months of the season, the limited offense they managed forced Brodeur to shoulder a big load for the team.

Skinny: Lalime has come into his own in the last couple of years and has helped Ottawa develop into a league powerhouse. He's always had the tools, but now he has learned how to use them consistently.

Skinny: He's so good offensively, that sometimes you wonder why he isn't playing forward. Actually, it seems that he does often, because of his tendency to join the rush. Ozolinsh's defense suffers because of his style, but he does produce points.

Skinny: The NHL's tallest player is quietly becoming one of the league's toughest defenseman. Chara is a stay-at-home type, who likes to keep sight lines clear for his goalie and punish opponents along the way. He has decent offensive skills as well.

Skinny: He's much Ozolinsh in his offensive mindset, but Gonchar has the better skills of the two. He makes great breakout passes and has the speed to lead rushes himself.

Skinny: He eats up a lot of ice time because the Islanders count on him in all situations. Hamrlik is a great skater with a heavy shot, but his skills don't keep him from playing a physical game.

Skinny: The Rangers see him as the heir apparent to Brian Leetch. Poti is big and is a great play maker, but his defensive game still needs some work. He leads New York in scoring this season.

Skinny: The Devils captain is getting up there in years, Stevens continues to make New Jersey's end of the ice unpleasant for opponents. His ice time has been dropping in the last couple of years, but his hits are just as hard.

Skinny: He didn't start the season well, but Jagr has been on a tear in the last few weeks. He broke a slump with a seven-point game and has kept up a pace that makes him a factor in the scoring race.

Skinny: Kovalev is expected be traded soon because of salary concerns, which means some lucky will get one of the game's most electrifying players. He is arguably the best stickhandler in hockey and a great skater who knows how to finish plays around the net.

Skinny: Last year's top rookie has gotten better as a sophomore and is one of the foundation's of a bright future on the ice for Atlanta. Heatley has great skills and is poised beyond his years.

Skinny: Hossa is battling for the goal-scoring title this year, which is bringing widespread recognition for his offensive talents for the first time. He's fast and has a great shot, and is very tough to knock off stride.

Skinny: A replacement for Montreal's Saku Koivu, Jokinen is getting the recognition he deserves for a breakout season. He's been Florida's best player, and with coach Mike Keenan pushing him, is finally showing the talent that made him the third pick overall a few years ago.

Skinny: He's put the off-ice controversies behind him and re-emerged as the foundation of the Lightning's future. Still only 22, Lecavalier has all the tools to be a superstar.

Skinny: Murray is a key reason Boston's offense has overcome the loss of Bill Guerin. Murray has good speed and uses it effectively to create chances that he tends to bury with a quick shot.

Skinny: His team is having a miserable year, but O'Neill continues to produce at a pace that's expected of him. He's a good skater with a big shot that he gets on net often.

Skinny: No one in hockey gives better quotes than Roenick, so he'll be a lively addition to the festivities. He's having a good season, leading the Flyers in scoring while adapting to new coach Ken Hitchcock's defensive philosophy.

Skinny: St. Louis has slowed a bit after a blazing start, but he's still proving how big little guys can play. St. Louis is only five-foot-seven, but he's fast and gritty and is putting up big numbers offensively.

Skinny: One of Buffalo's few bright spots this season, Satan continues to produce in a difficult situation. His size and quickness make him one of the league's more dangerous offensive players.

Skinny: He's being touted as an MVP candidate in the midst of the season of his young career. Thornton is the complete package, someone with the skill and the ability to intimidate. And he's only 23.

Skinny: Martin is in his 10th year as a head coach, his seventh with Ottawa. He has done an excellent job developing the Senators young talent over the years, but his team's success has been limited to the regular season so far.

Skinny: He coached the Stars to a Stanley Cup in 1999 and the Flyers are hoping he can do the same in his first year with them. Hitchcock stresses defense to the point of alienating some players, but he gets results.