Blake Wheeler has been one the league's top players (and perhaps most underrated) since arriving in Winnipeg seven years ago, but his value to the Jets has never been more apparent than over the last month or so.

Mark Scheifele - the team's top center and budding young star - has been out of the lineup with an upper-body injury since Dec. 27. Since that date, the Jets are 8-2-2, in large part due to Wheeler's selflessness and versatility.

In Wheeler's 10-year career, he's played almost exclusively on the wing (and was drafted as such), but over the last month he's shifted to center to fill the void Scheifele left behind. Although it's extremely uncommon to see a winger temporarily move to center for a prolonged period of time, Wheeler has done so seamlessly.

And it's not all that surprising to see him succeed down the middle. After all, Wheeler has all the attributes of a great center: big, strong, fast, skilled, smart, with great playmaking ability. It is surprising, however, that he was willing to make the move. Most players - especially of Wheeler's caliber - would much rather stay in their comfort zone at the position they've been playing their whole career.

Instead, Wheeler did what was best for the team - a mindset befitting of a great leader. Had he opted to stay at right wing, Bryan Little would've been thrust into a top-line role, Andrew Copp would've been counted on for more minutes, and Nic Petan probably would have been recalled.

Would the Jets still be in first place in the Central Division with the aforementioned three centers moving up the lineup? It's impossible to know for sure, but most likely, they wouldn't, given that the Blues sit just one point behind them.

Wheeler hasn't skipped a beat playing center, either, collecting 12 points in as many games since Scheifele went down. Playing alongside Patrik Laine means that he's drawing matchups against opponents' top checking lines and D pairings. This is all while learning a new position that comes with added defensive responsibility.

Wheeler sits tied for 10th in the league in points, and tied for sixth in assists. As he continues to pile up points, excel on both the power play and penalty kill, and help his team win in any way possible, Wheeler should definitely be given some Hart Trophy consideration as one of the game's most complete players.

Even though the Jets have plenty of skill up front, are deep on the blue line, and have received great goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, Wheeler has proven to be the heart and soul of the team. He has clearly raised his game to new heights in his age-31 season, and it's hard to imagine where the Jets would be without him.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

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Blake Wheeler has been one the league's top players (and perhaps most underrated) since arriving in Winnipeg seven years ago, but his value to the Jets has never been more apparent than over the last month or so.

Mark Scheifele - the team's top center and budding young star - has been out of the lineup with an upper-body injury since Dec. 27. Since that date, the Jets are 8-2-2, in large part due to Wheeler's selflessness and versatility.

In Wheeler's 10-year career, he's played almost exclusively on the wing (and was drafted as such), but over the last month he's shifted to center to fill the void Scheifele left behind. Although it's extremely uncommon to see a winger temporarily move to center for a prolonged period of time, Wheeler has done so seamlessly.

And it's not all that surprising to see him succeed down the middle. After all, Wheeler has all the attributes of a great center: big, strong, fast, skilled, smart, with great playmaking ability. It is surprising, however, that he was willing to make the move. Most players - especially of Wheeler's caliber - would much rather stay in their comfort zone at the position they've been playing their whole career.

Instead, Wheeler did what was best for the team - a mindset befitting of a great leader. Had he opted to stay at right wing, Bryan Little would've been thrust into a top-line role, Andrew Copp would've been counted on for more minutes, and Nic Petan probably would have been recalled.

Would the Jets still be in first place in the Central Division with the aforementioned three centers moving up the lineup? It's impossible to know for sure, but most likely, they wouldn't, given that the Blues sit just one point behind them.

Wheeler hasn't skipped a beat playing center, either, collecting 12 points in as many games since Scheifele went down. Playing alongside Patrik Laine means that he's drawing matchups against opponents' top checking lines and D pairings. This is all while learning a new position that comes with added defensive responsibility.

Wheeler sits tied for 10th in the league in points, and tied for sixth in assists. As he continues to pile up points, excel on both the power play and penalty kill, and help his team win in any way possible, Wheeler should definitely be given some Hart Trophy consideration as one of the game's most complete players.

Even though the Jets have plenty of skill up front, are deep on the blue line, and have received great goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, Wheeler has proven to be the heart and soul of the team. He has clearly raised his game to new heights in his age-31 season, and it's hard to imagine where the Jets would be without him.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

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Auston Matthews may have had ulterior motives during the weekend's All-Star festivities.

This season the discussion about what Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty will do following next season - when he becomes an unrestricted free-agent - has run rapid throughout the league.

Related: Doughty feels he and Karlsson deserve 'quite a bit more' money than Subban

With no clear-cut decision yet, the Toronto Maple Leafs forward admitted he at least attempted to try and sell the reigning Norris Trophy-winner on the potential to play alongside him in Toronto.

"I recruited him a little bit. He didn't bite," Matthews said, according to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star. "I said: 'Hey, how's it going?' He said: 'Good.' I said, 'Are you coming to Toronto?' He just laughed and skated away."

With Doughty not budging for now, Matthews might have to turn his attention to Erik Karlsson.

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If there was any doubt that Brock Boeser is already a bona fide NHL superstar, his performances throughout All-Star weekend showed he truly deserves to be mentioned among the game's best and brightest.

The 20-year-old rookie left an indelible mark on the All-Star festivities in Tampa Bay all weekend, first by winning the Accuracy Shooting event in the Skills Competition on Saturday night, and then by earning tournament MVP honors with two memorable games in the All-Star tournament on Sunday.

Boeser has already put himself on the map in NHL circles a little over halfway into his first full season, leading all rookies with 24 goals and ranking second in the class with 43 points in 46 contests.

His unofficial first half went so well that he also finds himself in the top 10 in goal-scoring league-wide, tied for seventh with Colorado Avalanche sniper Nathan MacKinnon and sitting only six goals behind league leader Alex Ovechkin in three fewer games.

Still, Boeser, the Vancouver Canucks' first-round pick in 2015, came to Tampa Bay as the youngest Pacific Division All-Star in 2018, and as the only rookie playing in Sunday's 3-on-3 divisional tournament. And yet, he did more than just fit in. He excelled.

Boeser looked like a seasoned veteran Saturday night, breezing through the targets in 11.136 seconds to win the Accuracy Shooting event over Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Brad Marchand, Anze Kopitar, Blake Wheeler, James Neal, and second-place finisher Brian Boyle.

He even literally broke one of the new LED targets, causing a long delay after his round concluded, but all that did was prolong his inevitable victory.

As if that wasn't enough, Boeser shone again on Sunday. He went top corner for a beautiful goal - for what would hold up as the game-winner - in the Pacific Division's semifinal win over the Central Division, then chipped in a goal and an assist to help the Pacific cruise past the Atlantic 5-2 in in the championship round.

Boeser was named tournament MVP in a fan vote, becoming only the second rookie - and first since Mario Lemieux in 1985 - to capture the award in the All-Star Game history.

While there certainly were other deserving candidates for that honor Sunday, Boeser's popularity among viewers was unquestionably warranted.

It's not just that he carried over his regular-season success in an exhibition tournament and a skills showcase, it's that he did it on one of the NHL's biggest stages and among the best of his peers.

Boeser made a major statement with his All-Star performances, and if he wasn't quite a household name beforehand, there's no doubt he is now.

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If Alex Ovechkin has it his way, Mike Green will be back with the Washington Capitals, the superstar said, according to The Athletic's Craig Custance.

With the Detroit Red Wings currently sitting outside a playoff spot and Green a pending unrestricted free agent, the 32-year-old has the potential to be traded ahead of the Feb. 26 deadline.

The Capitals currently sit in the top spot in the Metropolitan Division and might look for an upgrade to their back end, but would need to shed some salary in any potential deal for Green.

Of course, in the event of a trade, Green would be joining a club he is quite familiar with. He spent the first 10 years of his career with the Capitals and sits third among franchise defensemen with 113 goals and fifth with 360 points in 575 games.

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Another NHL All-Star three-on-three tournament is in the books.

The Pacific Division reigned supreme with wins over the Central and Atlantic on the back of Brock Boeser's MVP performance. Sunday's tournament was full of amazing goals and some downright hilarious moments - everything one could want from an All-Star event.

Here are the top 10 moments from a fun-filled afternoon:

Wes McCauley delivers classic 'no goal' call

What would an All-Star Game be without a coach's challenge?

After Erik Karlsson looked to have picked up his first goal of the tournament against the Metropolitan, video review revealed that teammate Nikita Kucherov was actually offside.

The goal was called off, and the NHL's most dramatic referee was on hand to deliver the news.

Matthews, Eichel mockingly signal goal

For the second time in a week, Auston Matthews had the chance to throw some shade at the video-review process.

After a controversial no-goal call went against him last Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs forward mockingly pointed at the net after he scored later in the same game.

Fast forward to Sunday, as Karlsson's disallowed goal provided another opportunity for a tongue-and-cheek celebration from Matthews and Co.

Kucherov completes hat trick with cheeky deke

He did it again.

Kucherov pulled off his now-famous deke, in which he purposefully whiffs on the puck to fake out goalies.

After pulling off the move last season in a shootout against the Buffalo Sabres, the Tampa Bay Lightning forward seized the opportunity against Braden Holtby when he was gifted a breakaway. The goal completed his hat trick.

Atlantic throws helmets on the ice to celebrate hat trick

While many fans tossed their hats on the ice in celebration of Kucherov's third goal, his teammates took things to another level.

Marchand loves to be hated

Brad Marchand received all the boos from fans this weekend ... and he loved it.

After hearing them during his introduction to the skills competition and to the tournament itself, the Boston Bruins forward scored in his club's semifinal game, giving him the chance to show his appreciation to the fans.

Willie O'Ree honored during semifinal

In a touching ceremony during the semifinal between the Atlantic and Metropolitan, former Boston Bruin Willie O'Ree - the NHL's first black player - was honored on the ice.

O'Ree posed for a picture with both teams while receiving an honorary jersey and then shook hands with each player.

Subban cellys with bench

What would the All-Star Game be without some P.K. Subban shenanigans.

After the Nashville Predators defender scored on a rare breakaway, he began to celebrate emphatically - as he does - this time with his teammates on the bench.

Kucherov, Eichel pull off insane give-and-go

Kucherov's hat trick goal was impressive overall, but his second of the game was just incredible.

He and Eichel pulled off two behind-the-back passes on one of the prettiest give-and-gos you'll ever see. You couldn't help but feel sorry for Holtby on this one.

Mike Smith nearly scores

Oh, what could have been.

With the Atlantic desperate to score late in the final game, the goalie was pulled. That gave Mike Smith a chance at scoring from the other end of the rink. Unfortunately, his shot went just wide.

Gaudreau scores while dragging thread

Johnny Gaudreau is usually busy undressing opposing defensemen, but he nearly undressed himself on Sunday.

The Calgary Flames forward had a thread from his equipment unravel as he skated in on a breakaway. Fortunately for Gaudreau, he still managed to snap the puck through Carey Price's five-hole.

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Vancouver Canucks rookie forward Brock Boeser has been named the All-Star Tournament's most valuable player.

Boeser recorded the game-winning goal for the Pacific Division in the semifinal round, and followed it up with a goal and an assist in a final victory over the Atlantic Division.

The 20-year-old was given a 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, and a successful weekend triggers a few bonuses in his contract.

Boeser will now return to Vancouver and pick up his pursuit of the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie this season.

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Rickard Rakell scored twice and added an assist as the Pacific Division defeated the Atlantic Division 5-2 to win the championship game at the NHL All-Star tournament in Tampa Bay on Sunday night.

The Anaheim Ducks forward opened the scoring just before the one-minute mark of the first stanza, assisted on Drew Doughty's goal that held up as the game-winner later in the frame, then tallied again with less than three minutes left to put the game out of reach.

Brock Boeser chipped in a goal and an assist and was later named MVP of the tournament. Doughty and Johnny Gaudreau also picked up a goal and an assist apiece in the final, while Anze Kopitar had a couple of helpers.

Mike Green provided all of the offense for the Atlantic Division in the championship round, scoring twice in a losing effort.

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