NHL

Kucherov, Ovechkin part of 1st projected World roster for 2027 All-Star Game

Published 1h ago

Nikita Kucherov and Alex Ovechkin skating during an NHL professional hockey game.

The NHL is preparing for the 2027 Honda NHL All-Star Game scheduled for February 5-6 at UBS Arena on Long Island. This year introduces a fresh format featuring five distinct teams including Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States, and a combined World team. Each roster consists of eleven players made up of nine skaters and two goalies. The selection process involves a fan vote for eight players per team opening in December followed by joint selections from the league and the NHLPA for the remaining spots.

The editorial staff at NHL.com has released its first set of projected rosters for the World team. This group highlights top international talent from countries not represented by the other four squads. The current projection leans heavily on offensive production, opting for a forward-heavy lineup that includes standouts like Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, and Alex Ovechkin. These nine skaters combined for 803 points last season, showcasing significant scoring depth.

Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak, and Martin Necas also secure spots in the forward group alongside veterans like Artemi Panarin and Nico Hischier. Juraj Slafkovsky rounds out the offensive rotation after his thirty-goal season. The team carries no dedicated defensemen in this early projection, prioritizing the raw scoring power of the forwards.

In the crease, the World team looks toward Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin. Vasilevskiy remains a top defensive presence as a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, while Shesterkin maintains high performance standards despite team difficulties last year. This goalie tandem represents a significant anchor for the international squad.

Fans should anticipate the official fan vote to kick off in December. The league plans to revisit these roster predictions as the season progresses to reflect actual player performance and health. This early look provides a baseline for how international talent will compete in the upcoming 3-on-3 tournament structure.