The rosters for this weekend's National Hockey League All-Star Game between the Western and Eastern Conferences have been like the stock market -- changing every second. Gone are Mario Lemieux, Ed Belfour, Saku Koivu, Brian Leetch and Mats Sundin.

In to replace them (in order) are Vincent Lecavalier, Patrick Lalime, Olli Jokinen, Tom Poti and Miroslav Satan.

Vancouver captain Markus Naslund, the league's leading goal scorer, said even though there are some high-profile players missing, the event will still serve its purpose.

"It's a good way for us to show the fans the skill level in the skills competition the day before," he said. "But also a little different, to show a little more skill in more of an open game. Obviously, with all the countries broadcasting this event, it's a way of us trying to widen the interest in the sport. Now, with so many Europeans being over here, the NHL is very closely followed by a lot of countries. It's fun because you know your friends and family are going to be able to watch them."

The format has reverted back from the World team versus North America, which was devised in order to promote the NHL's participation in the last two Olympic Games.

Anecdotally, it appears that more of the league's elite players much prefer meeting their foes from the other conference than being divided up by birthplace.

"I like the East-West," said Boston Bruins' center Joe Thornton, who is making his second consecutive All-Star appearance. "The European and the North American, I didn't really like that for some reason. Now it's going to be nice to mingle with the Europeans, too. The two conferences, it's going to be fun to see who's better. You don't see the other conference as much so it's going to be nice to see who's paired up with each other. It should be interesting."

Count Naslund among those who prefer the East-West game.

"I like the East-West better," he said. "I think you shouldn't have to go against a teammate. I think it's a better format. I'd have to say the actual game is the most fun. The skills competition is fun in a way but playing hockey the real way is the most fun. For me it's an honor to be named. It's fun to hook up with star players from around the league that you don't get to see every day and just watch them closely. For a lot of guys, we've had heroes growing up and there are still some of those guys around that you get the chance to maybe play with and I think that's a neat thing."

Naslund said he's seen a change in the way the game is marketed. Playing in Vancouver, there has always been a great deal of attention on the sport but even more so now whether it be All-Star weekend or the regular season and playoffs.

"I think overall at least in our market in Vancouver, the media is growing every year," he said. "It's more focused on. You have more radio and more TV channels that are following every move you make closely. It's tough sometimes to always have to face a lot of questions. Some you might not even have the answer for. It's good for the game I think because it brings a lot of interest to our game."

The money might be out West but New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur believes there will be plenty of competition from the East both in this game and down the stretch as clubs gear up to make a run for the Stanley Cup.

"Like I say, they have teams that have big payrolls like Dallas and Colorado and Detroit and St. Louis," said Brodeur. "Those are great teams, you know, but I think obviously we'll be able to compete with anybody. Definitely with this format, it gives a fair chance for all of the talent to be out there instead of just where you're from and you have to be the best and that's it. The format for the All-Star Game is good but I really believe that's just the way it is now and five years from now, it could be different.''

Last year, Thornton, who's about as outgoing a guy as there is, said he couldn't speak because he was sitting in the stall next to Lemieux.

"Seeing Mario, I got excited just seeing him in the locker room," said Thornton, his entire face lighting up. "I got a kick out of it. That was my big high, just seeing him."

Over the course of the weekend, he did manage to talk to him.

"A little bit,'' he said. "He was just a very pleasant man and he had a lot of good things to say. It was nice."

This year, with Lemieux sidelined by a groin strain and so many other top players on the shelf with him, Thornton will have to find other players to mingle with.

"You want to see all the best guys down there," said Thornton, "and obviously, he's the best player in the league so it kind of takes away a little bit from the game but I'm sure there are going to be a lot more guys down there."

For the young players just beginning their careers -- like Thornton and Vincent Lecavalier, who were back-to-back No. 1 picks overall in their respective drafts in 1997 and '98 -- it's an experience of a lifetime. For some of the older players in the group -- like St. Louis' Al MacInnis and New Jersey's Scott Stevens -- they know there are more All-Star games behind them than in front of them. For some of the other players -- Belfour, Sundin and Lemieux (with his double billing as star and owner of the Penguins) -- their priorities are healing enough to be the difference for their teams down the stretch.

First-time All-Star Glen Murray, who has received much more attention since being dealt to the Bruins from Los Angeles, said at 30 years old, he appreciates the honor although he's disappointed some players are skipping it.

"They need to get healthy, I guess," he said. "It would've been nice to see those guys and meet those guys but there will still be a lot of other guys, too."

Even though his favorite player -- Lemieux -- won't be there, Thornton said he plans to make the most of his weekend and figures everyone there will, too.

"I think I'm always going to be in awe," he said. "As soon as I get there, I'll be like a kid in the candy store."

Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.