Marleau and Robidas added to NHL Western Conference all-star roster

NEW YORK - San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau and Dallas Stars defenceman Stephane Robidas have been added the NHL Western Conference all-star roster.

Marleau takes the place of injured Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk while Robidas is filling in for injured Detroit blue-liner Nicklas Lidstrom. The all-star festivities kick off later this week in Montreal with the big game set for Sunday.

Robidas, a former Canadien, is looking forward to making his all-star debut in Montreal.

"To be an all-star anywhere would be great," Robidas said. "But to play in Montreal, that will be something very special."

Meanwhile, Montreal goaltender Carey Price, a starter for the Eastern Conference team, will also play for the sophomores in the YoungStars game. He takes the spot of injured Kings netminder Erik Ersberg.

Dave Bolland of Chicago and David Perron of St. Louis have also been added to the sophomore roster, taking the spots of Boston's Milan Lucic and Washington's Nicklas Backstrom.

Backstrom said he decided he wanted to take a rest rather than play in the game.

"This year I felt like it made more sense for me to give someone else that opportunity and use this time to rest and prepare for the second half of the season with the Washington Capitals," Backstrom said in a statement released by the team. "I can assure Caps fans that I'm not injured."

Rookie goaltender Pekka Rinne of Nashville will also play in Saturday's YoungStars game, filling in for Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets.