NHL All-Star Skills Competition players announced; who wins?

Eastern Conference captains, Jaromir Jagr and John Tavares, and Western Conference captains, Patrick Kane and John Scott, have selected their challengers for the Honda NHL Skills Competition.

The East appears to be in it to win it; whereas, the West might be leaning towards entertainment value (see: fastest skater). All the events take place on Saturday, January 30 starting at 7:00 pm ET at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

So, who you got? Check out the field below.

Bridgestone Fastest Skater

Event description: Four players from each team will test their speed, facing off against an opponent in a two-skater race. The race track for the head-to-head match-ups is the border of the rink split in half lengthways. Timing devices will record each skater to determine the winner of each match. If a race ends in a tie, each of the teams will be awarded one point. The skater with the fastest time in the head-to-head match-ups will skate a full lap of the outside border of the rink, in the direction of their choosing, in an attempt to break Mike Gartner’s record (13.386).

Points Available: 6 – The winner of each match-up scores one point; the team with the fastest skater scores a bonus point; if the fastest skater is successful in breaking Mike Gartner’s record an additional bonus point will be awarded.

Last year’s winner: Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning (AWKWARD)

Favorite: Dylan Larkin is young and naive. Expect him to go all out.

Darkhorse: Everyone outside of Evander Kane wants to see the universe explode when Dustin Byfuglien wins.

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Honda NHL Breakaway Challenge*

Event description: A test of creativity a player can insert into a breakaway, three shooters and one goaltender from each team will participate. Columbus’ Brandon Saad was selected by fans to participate in this event in an online vote. Each skater will attempt two shots. NHL penalty shot rules do not apply. Fans in-arena and watching on television will be able to vote for their favorite player on Twitter by casting their vote using the hashtag that corresponds to the player of their choice.

Points Available: 1 – The shooter with the highest fan vote will score one point for his team.

*We are sad to report: No fire allowed – AGAIN.

Last year’s winner: Ryan Johansen, then-Columbus Blue Jackets, now Nashville Predators (AWKWARD)

Most likely to use prop comedy: Brent Burns

Most likely to dazzle with pure skill: Matt Duchene

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DraftKings NHL Accuracy Shooting

Event description: Four players from each team will compete, with two additional players serving as passers. This event will consist of four head-to-head match-ups, one shooter from each team per round. The goal is to hit four 15-inch diameter targets located in each corner of the net. The teams will be situated at opposite ends of the rink, and will alternate shot attempts. The first shooter to hit all four targets wins.

Points Available: 5 –The winner of each match-up scores one point; the player who hits all four targets in the fastest time scores the bonus point

Favorite: The sniper-loaded Western Conference

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Gatorade NHL Skills Challenge Relay

Event description: This timed relay event – involving 14 skaters and one goalie from each team – will consist of five challenges:

• One-Timers, with three shooters and one passer per team 
• Passing, with one passer per team 
• Puck Control, with one skater per team
• Stick-Handling, with one skater per team
• Goalie Goals, with one goalie per team

Each skill must be completed before moving on to the next challenge with the exception of one timers, passing and goalie goals, in which a maximum of forty-five seconds will be allocated. The goal is to finish all five challenges faster than the opponent.

Points Available: 3 – The team with the fastest time in each heat scores one point; the team with the fastest overall time scores one bonus point.

RELAY 1

RELAY 2

Favorite: Again, the West. Some of the best hands in the business are on the team.

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AMP NHL Hardest Shot

Event description: Four shooters from each team will test their slap shot skill in a head-to-head match-up. Each player will attempt two shots, with teams alternating after each player. One puck will be placed 30 feet from the center of the net. Each shot will be calculated in miles per hour (mph), with the highest speed of their two shots recorded.

Points Available: Five team points. The winner of each match-up scores one point; the team with the player who has the fastest speed scores one bonus point.

Last year’s winner: Shea Weber at 108.5 m.p.h.

Favorite: He may not hit 108 again but Weber is an old pro at this event.

Darkhorse: We love us some 6’8″ monster of a man in John Scott.

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Discover NHL Shootout

Event description: 18 skaters and three goaltenders from each team will participate in the three-round shootout. During each two-minute round, six skaters and one goalie from each team will take the ice. Teams will alternate after each shot with each player having a maximum of 10 seconds to take a shot. Players one and three from each team will be designated Discover puck players; each goal scored by these players will count as two points. NHL shootout rules apply to each scoring attempt.

Points Available: 1 point for every goal scored and 2 points for every goal scored with a Discover puck.

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

ROUND 3

Favorite: Western Conference will prevail again. The East has a ton of great passers but the goal scorers are in the West. 

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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.

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