FOX Sports Detroit staff and wires
Nicklas Lidstrom's captain rank has increased in stature.
Lidstrom, captain of the Red Wings, has been named as one of the team captains for the 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend in Raleigh, the NHL announced Tuesday.
Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes will be the other captain.
According to the league's website, the NHL All-Star teams are now designated as Team Staal and Team Lidstrom.
The All-Stars were determined in a fan vote,
and the players selected voted on the captains. The game features a
revamped format this year.
Staal and
Lidstrom will select their teams in a live draft two days before the
game. They will also set the lineup for the skills competition Jan 29.
The alternate captains, still to be determined, will provide input
during the draft.
Sidney Crosby was
considered a favorite to be selected as captain, but the Pittsburgh
Penguins star remains sidelined with a concussion and likely will miss
the game. If that happens, it will be the third time he's missed an
All-Star game because of injury. His sole appearance was in 2007.
