No one looked happier to be spending an hour and a half of face time with the media this afternoon than Mike Komisarek.

I was late getting in, but the Eastern Conference all-stars were slated to have their meet and greets from 2:30 to 4:00, and few were left sitting at their booths by about 3:45. Komisarek, however, had a small scrum – and a big grin on his face – and one of the main questions on everyone's mind was the conversation that took place when the league asked that he not wear No. 8.

You see, normal all-star protocol (it exists, apparently) dictates than the more veteran player gets to keep his number for the game. Komisarek has 325 NHL games to his name, just a few more than Ovechkin's 291.

Ovechkin, however, wanted the number (or the league wanted to sell jerseys to that effect), Komisarek didn't give a hoot, and, well, the Habs defenceman says he will wear No. 44.

He shrugged.

"Eighty-eight, I thought, eh, Eric Lindros, power forward."

A reporter joked he could have instead worn 87, an obvious reference to the fact Crosby won't be using it.

"I'm not here to step on anyone's toes, let's put it that way!" Komisarek said, laughing. "I'm just happy to be here enjoying the whole weekend."

"You know what, I didn't think twice about [giving up the number]."

This is really a once-in-a-career type event for Komisarek, who's really blossomed the past few seasons as a defensive defender but who would never have had a chance to skate as an all-star if not for fan voting. He's no Rory Fitzpatrick, but he's also a bit of an everyman and "lucky" to be there in a similar fashion.

He knows it.