Getzlaf, Perry await word on All-Star bids

The hockey world took notice of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring, but the true recognition of whether they’ve arrived as stars might come Thursday.

It is when the NHL will announce the rest of the lineup that will represent the Western Conference in the league’s All-Star game, which is Jan. 27 at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The starters were announced Tuesday.

Both Getzlaf and Perry have credentials that could earn the 22-year-olds a first-time nod in the midseason showcase.

Getzlaf has 17 goals and his 46 points put him in a tie for sixth in the conference, sitting behind Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, who were voted in as starters, and Iginla’s teammate Kristian Huselius. Among centers, the Ducks’ leading scorer is tied for third with Dallas’ Mike Ribeiro and San Jose’s Joe Thornton.

Perry’s team-leading 22 goals rank him third in the West behind Iginla and Zetterberg and put him tied for eighth in the league with Carolina center Eric Staal.

Ducks captain Chris Pronger said they both merit serious consideration.

“I don’t see how they cannot,” Pronger said. “Obviously they’ve been probably our most important pieces from an offensive standpoint. That’s what the All-Star game is about, scoring goals. Both those guys are having great years for us.”

Getzlaf took part in the YoungStars game last season in Dallas, but he acknowledged that he’d like to be on the bigger stage.

“It’s something I’d love to be a part of,” he said. “Obviously those kinds of things are honors throughout your career. Especially this early, it would be a pleasure for me to go.”

Perry said he would also relish the chance to play among the league’s best.

“It’s something you strive for and it’s a big accomplishment if you do get one,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a little break in the season and you can use that to your advantage too.

“Personally, it’s a big honor just to be nominated as an All-Star in this league of the best players in the world.”

The two aren’t the only members of the defending Stanley Cup champions that could be selected. Pronger may be in line for his sixth selection as he’s among the top scoring defensemen with nine goals and 32 points.

Because of the NHL’s current conference and division emphasized schedule, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be making their first appearance in Anaheim since the 2003-04 season.

It’s also only their second visit in nine years.

“I’m sure you’re going to see more than your ample share of blue and white from the fans because there’s a lot of transplanted Canadians in California,” Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. “And that’s a fact. It’s easily the most recognizable hockey franchise.

“Some people might argue it’s Montreal and there’s always that argument of it being Montreal or Toronto. Having played there a number of years ago and the branding that’s taken place in the game, Toronto’s front and center.”

TONIGHT

vs. Toronto, 7, FSN West

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 22-17-6, Maple Leafs 16-18-8.

Record vs. Maple Leafs (2006-07) -- Did not play.

Update -- Most of the talk in Toronto has centered around whether the team will trade longtime captain Mats Sundin at the Feb. 26 deadline if it continues to fall out of the playoff picture.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

--

eric.stephens@latimes.com