FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 21st, 2015
“NHL LIVE” ANALYSTS JEREMY ROENICK AND KEITH JONES CONDUCT MOCK ALL-STAR FANTASY DRAFT
“Even though he’s from Pittsburgh, and I was a Philly guy, I’ve got to make him my first choice.” – Roenick on Penguins All-Star Evgeni Malkin
“He’s heading back to Columbus where he started his career – he’ll be pretty pumped up about that.” – Jones on Flyers All-Star Jakub Voracek
“Is there a guy in the NHL that likes to have fun more than Alex Ovechkin?” – Roenick
NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN; NHL Skills Competition Airs Saturday Night at 7 p.m. ET
2015 NHL All-Star Game – Sunday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN
STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 21, 2015 – As part of NBCSN’s comprehensive coverage of the upcoming 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend, NHL Live analysts Jeremy Roenick and Keith Jones conducted a mock All-Star fantasy draft in preparation for the 2015 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Roenick was assigned to represent Team Foligno, which will be led by Columbus Blue Jackets All-Star Nick Foligno, alongside assistant captains Patrick Kane (CHI) and Drew Doughty (LAK). Jones represented Team Toews, led by Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews and assistant captains Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) and Rick Nash (NYR). Foligno and Toews will officially select their All-Star rosters on Friday, prior to Saturday’s All-Star Skills Competition at 7 p.m. ET, and the NHL All-Star Game on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
With his first selection, Roenick selected Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin, followed by Jones’ first-round selection of Philadelphia Flyers forward and NHL leading point-getter Jakub Voracek. Roenick chose Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price in Round Two, while Jones went with a hometown favorite, Columbus Blue Jackets net-minder Sergei Bobrovsky. The two alternated selections through the 18th and final round.
Following are comments from Roenick and Jones on their selections, as well as the full rosters and draft order of their All-Star fantasy draft:
Roenick on Malkin: “There’s no question that in an All-Star Game, he’s the perfect guy to pick number one. Even though he’s from Pittsburgh, and I was a Philly guy, I’ve got to make him my first choice.”
Jones on Voracek: “He’s heading back to Columbus where he started his career – he’ll be pretty pumped up about that. He’s leading the NHL in points, and when he plays with All-Star talent, he’ll pick up big-time points.”
Roenick on Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin: “Is there a guy in the NHL that likes to have fun more than Alex Ovechkin? He’s going to entertain the fans, make sick moves, and shoot the puck a ton.”
Jones on selecting Blackhawks All-Stars Duncan Keith, Corey Crawford and Brent Seabrook: “Duncan Keith has great offensive skill. He’s a great guy to have on your team, and if he’s on my team, I’ve got to take Brent Seabrook since they play so well together…Toews is the captain of my team, and I know he wants his own goaltender, so I’ll take Crawford. He’ll be happy playing with his captain in front of him.”
Roenick on Lightning forward Steven Stamkos: “A guy that can shoot the puck like he can, a guy that can fly like he can…put him on a wing with Malkin or Kopitar, and this guy will light it up.”
Jones on Islanders forward John Tavares: “I know John Tavares is going to bring it offensively. He loves the spotlight, and he’s done an amazing job with the New York Islanders this year with a nice supporting cast that’s alleviated some of the pressure for him. He’ll have a pretty good supporting cast on an All-Star team, too.”
Roenick on Kings forward Anze Kopitar: “Last year in the playoffs, Wayne Gretzky called Anze Kopitar the third-best player in the NHL behind Crosby and Toews. He can make plays, and he’s big, strong and fast. Maybe he’ll be serving up nice pizzas to Stamkos or Ovechkin for some one-timers on my team.”
Jones on Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron: “Jonathan Toews is a guy that he’s compared to all the time…he should make more noise in the second half of the season, as should the Boston Bruins.”
Roenick on Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak: “He’s should have been on the team in the first place. He’s re-energized his career with the New York Islanders.”
Jones on Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko: “He’s looked great for St. Louis all season long. The Blues are on fire, and we’ve seen some of the best moves and the prettiest goals of the year from Tarasenko. He’ll be an easy guy for anyone on my team to play with.”
| JEREMY ROENICK (Team Foligno) | KEITH JONES (Team Toews) |
| A’s: Patrick Kane (CHI) & Drew Doughty (LAK) | A’s: Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) & Rick Nash (NYR) |
| 1. Evgeni Malkin (PIT) | 1. Jakub Voracek (PHI) |
| 2. Carey Price (MTL) | 2. Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ) |
| 3. Dustin Byfuglien (WPG) | 3. Duncan Keith (CHI) |
| 4. Steven Stamkos (TBL) | 4. Tyler Seguin (DAL) |
| 5. Alex Ovechkin (WSH) | 5. Sidney Crosby (PIT) |
| 6. Brent Burns (SJS) | 6. Shea Weber (NSH) |
| 7. Kevin Shattenkirk (STL) | 7. Mark Giordano (CGY) |
| 8. Claude Giroux (PHI) | 8. Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) |
| 9. Anze Kopitar (LAK) | 9. John Tavares (NYI) |
| 10. Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) | 10. Roberto Luongo (FLA) |
| 11. Ryan Johansen (CBJ) | 11. Tyler Johnson (TBL) |
| 12. Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI) | 12. Corey Crawford (CHI) |
| 13. Jaroslav Halak (NYI) | 13. Brent Seabrook (CHI) |
| 14. Ryan Suter (MIN) | 14. Erik Johnson (COL) |
| 15. Phil Kessel (TOR) | 15. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM) |
| 16. Bobby Ryan (OTT) | 16. Justin Faulk (CAR) |
| 17. Radim Vrbata (VAN) | 17. Patrice Bergeron (BOS) |
| 18. Patrik Elias (NJD) | 18. Zemgus Girgensons (BUF) |
-NBC SPORTS GROUP-
