The NHL and NHLPA have announced a revised All-Star Weekend format for next season that will feature five national teams in a three-on-three tournament.
The changes were presented overnight to Wednesday. The event is scheduled for February 6-7 and replaces the traditional setup with a round-robin tournament among Sweden, Finland, Canada, the United States and a fifth squad of players from other nations. Each roster will include nine skaters and two goaltenders. Fans will vote to select the players in December. The top two teams after the group stage will meet in the final, with the winners receiving two million dollars. The skills competition will continue as a separate event. The announcement marks the first time Sweden will field its own team at the NHL All-Star Weekend.
