2012 NHL All-Star Draft: Getting Picked Last Has Its Perks

The NHL All-Star Game will take place over the weekend, but the festivities start tonight. The All-Stars will all gather, and the two captains, Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara will pick their respective squads, playground-style. According to Jeff Klein of the New York Times, being picked last in the draft may be somewhat dubious, but it isn't the end of the world.

The draft was conceived by Brendan Shanahan and Rob Blake and approved by the players union as a way to jazz up the otherwise moribund All-Star Game. It includes something to soften the blow for the last man: a $20,000 donation to charity from the league and the union in the player's name, and a car.

I don't care how nice that car is, none of these guys want to be picked last. The draft is Thursday night at 8 pm and can be seen on the NBC Sports Network (previously known as Versus).

We'll have more on the All-Star game throughout the weekend here at SB Nation D.C., so keep it locked to this StoryStream. For more on the Capitals that will be taking part in that game, head over to Japers' Rink. For more on this game, please check out the SB Nation NHL All-Star game StoryStream.