The NHL All-Star Game returns to Toronto in 2024 and they are bringing back the draft format as part of the experience.

The NHL All-Star Game is becoming a three-day event with the announcement on Monday that the league is bringing back the drafting of teams format.

John Tavares appears to be a fan. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs captain was asked about his thoughts on the format ahead of his team's game against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtM1iC0cln0[/embed]

"It'll create buzz and excitement to it, certainly for the fans," Tavares said. "adding that element back in will create excitement about who's playing with whom."

The NHL adopted the fantasy draft format in 2011 and that's when former Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel was remembered for being selected last. The league softened the blow by gifting the last selected player a car.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz_f7ayRbEQ[/embed]

The NHL abandoned the format in 2016 when the league opted for its current 3-on-3 format represented by the four divisions. There will still be four teams but there will be four captains that will be paired with celebrities to be named at a later date. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPCgS3v_2RM[/embed]

To avoid being picked last like Kessel, a "special guest" will assign the remaining four players to the remaining four teams.

The Draft is set to take place on Feb. 1 as part of 'NHL All-Star Thursday'. The game itself will take place at Scotiabank Arena on Feb. 3.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMyAVwsqEQ0[/embed]

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