The Fantasy Line
Posted 4:34 PM ET | Comments 0
Many hockey enthusiasts sit around occasionally and ponder a very debatable idea. The idea that if it was possible, and you could create one super-mega-dominating line who would the five skaters and goalie be? Well I have recently done some serious pondering and have come up with my own dream team (line) if you will. So I picked 3 forwards, 2 defencemen, and 1 goalie; all of whom are current NHL players.
Every top line in the NHL is typically anchored by an outstanding center. The man I chose for the job is quite suitable for a top center position. Pavel Datsyuk is annually one of the best players in the NHL. Not only does he have a set of the softest hands in the league, he is known as one of the best two way scorers in the league. Also, Datsyuk is the one of the best at faceoffs in the game which helps considerably in terms of winning key draws in all 3 zones.
Next I chose my goaltender, yeah I know normally you build a team around a goaltender but I think so highly of Datsyuk's game it just made more sense to me to make him my first pick. But as I just stated teams all thrive on consistent, elite goaltending. I decided to go with a younger breed in terms of experience but someone who is still just starting to tap into his bottomless potential. I am speaking of Carey Price. Ever since being drafted 5th overall in the 2005 entry draft Price has been labeled as being Montreal's next Patrick Roy, Ken Dryden, Jacques Plante..etc. Coming off an inconsistent 2009-2010 season Price lit it up last year and looks to continue the same trend this year. However, this year we see the Canadiens sitting at a meager .500 through 27 games. This cannot be levied on Price but rather to injuries and lack up of production from key players on the front end of the Canadiens' roster.
Having Pavel Datsyuk as your center could comfort any current winger, but my choice to play at Datsyuk's left would almost have a more calming affect on the center. Playing to his left I decided to draft the large and in charge power forward from the big bad Bruins, Milan Lucic. After leading the Bruins in scoring last year in the regular season Lucic has continued to show why he is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the scoring department as well as in the physical realm. He never shies away opponents, and is always willing to stand up for himself and his teammates. Lucic brings size, speed, and scoring ability to this untouchable line.
I decided to save my selection for the right winger and jump to my first selection on the blue line. Every team needs a minute-eating, shutdown d-man. Someone who has the combination of size, speed, and the ability to move the puck. Only one person came to my mind who fits this role, Shea Weber. Weber continually proves his worth on the Nashville blue line and why he is considered one of the top d-men in the league. With his 6'4'' frame comes a wicked slapshot suitable for power play situations, decent speed that you cannot get out of most men his size, and his love to throw all 234 pounds of himself into opposing players.
So far I have chosen 2 forwards, my starting goaltender, and 1 of the 2 d-men needed. The next spot needed to fill is right wing. Playing alongside Milan Lucic and Pavel Datsyuk, my forward playing on the right side will need a scoring ablility as well as a hockey sense that can match both the other two. I chose Patrick Kane ultimately for his ability to score at will. There is no denying the kid can play and as much as I hate to admit it, he scored the goal on the Flyers that won Chicago the Stanley Cup a couple years ago. Also, as a right winger he plays the off wing allowing him a greater view of the net when driving from his side. And what Kane lacks in size he makes up for with speed, and damn can he skate. I believe Kane greatly compliments the other 2 players on this forward line as well.
Now my last pick requires me to select a defensemen to play with Shea Weber. This actually took me the longest to decide. First I wanted someone who could play both ends of the ice and compliments Weber's right handed shot (so I was looking for a left handed shot). Next, this player had to make up for the speed Weber gave up through his size and also have a little better ability at moving the puck. After narrowing it down I chose Keith Yandle. He is definitely the best choice for the job because of his offensive ability as a d-man, along with his 70+ assists the past two seasons and his 20+ goals. Yandle also has decent size to go along with his speed, being 6'1'' makes him look like a blinding comet moving down the ice.
Looking back at my decisions I realized a couple things; where's Crosby, Ovechkin, and whoever the hell you want to play the right side with them; what about Zdeno Chara, Chris Pronger, or the numerous other great stay at home d-men; why didn't I go with a more proven goalie?
First, I respect Crosby and Ovechkin to no end. They have immense unsurpassed talent. But the point of this was to create, what I believed to be, a line that would play in all situations, and deliver in all facets of the game, which I believe this line can do if they had the option to play together.
Secondly, while Weber may not the have the track record of a Chara or Pronger, he brings something they no longer have..YOUTH! Both Chara and Pronger are passing their primes and will slowly watch themselves lose playing time because of injuries, so on and so forth.
Finally, I completely stand behind my decision to have Carey Price as my starter. Sure I could have picked Fleury, Miller, Bryzgalov, Thomas, or Luongo. However, Price brings confidence into every game as well as one of the greatest competitive instincts I've ever seen. He plays to win every night and cannot stand to lose.
Every top line in the NHL is typically anchored by an outstanding center. The man I chose for the job is quite suitable for a top center position. Pavel Datsyuk is annually one of the best players in the NHL. Not only does he have a set of the softest hands in the league, he is known as one of the best two way scorers in the league. Also, Datsyuk is the one of the best at faceoffs in the game which helps considerably in terms of winning key draws in all 3 zones.
Next I chose my goaltender, yeah I know normally you build a team around a goaltender but I think so highly of Datsyuk's game it just made more sense to me to make him my first pick. But as I just stated teams all thrive on consistent, elite goaltending. I decided to go with a younger breed in terms of experience but someone who is still just starting to tap into his bottomless potential. I am speaking of Carey Price. Ever since being drafted 5th overall in the 2005 entry draft Price has been labeled as being Montreal's next Patrick Roy, Ken Dryden, Jacques Plante..etc. Coming off an inconsistent 2009-2010 season Price lit it up last year and looks to continue the same trend this year. However, this year we see the Canadiens sitting at a meager .500 through 27 games. This cannot be levied on Price but rather to injuries and lack up of production from key players on the front end of the Canadiens' roster.
Having Pavel Datsyuk as your center could comfort any current winger, but my choice to play at Datsyuk's left would almost have a more calming affect on the center. Playing to his left I decided to draft the large and in charge power forward from the big bad Bruins, Milan Lucic. After leading the Bruins in scoring last year in the regular season Lucic has continued to show why he is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the scoring department as well as in the physical realm. He never shies away opponents, and is always willing to stand up for himself and his teammates. Lucic brings size, speed, and scoring ability to this untouchable line.
I decided to save my selection for the right winger and jump to my first selection on the blue line. Every team needs a minute-eating, shutdown d-man. Someone who has the combination of size, speed, and the ability to move the puck. Only one person came to my mind who fits this role, Shea Weber. Weber continually proves his worth on the Nashville blue line and why he is considered one of the top d-men in the league. With his 6'4'' frame comes a wicked slapshot suitable for power play situations, decent speed that you cannot get out of most men his size, and his love to throw all 234 pounds of himself into opposing players.
So far I have chosen 2 forwards, my starting goaltender, and 1 of the 2 d-men needed. The next spot needed to fill is right wing. Playing alongside Milan Lucic and Pavel Datsyuk, my forward playing on the right side will need a scoring ablility as well as a hockey sense that can match both the other two. I chose Patrick Kane ultimately for his ability to score at will. There is no denying the kid can play and as much as I hate to admit it, he scored the goal on the Flyers that won Chicago the Stanley Cup a couple years ago. Also, as a right winger he plays the off wing allowing him a greater view of the net when driving from his side. And what Kane lacks in size he makes up for with speed, and damn can he skate. I believe Kane greatly compliments the other 2 players on this forward line as well.
Now my last pick requires me to select a defensemen to play with Shea Weber. This actually took me the longest to decide. First I wanted someone who could play both ends of the ice and compliments Weber's right handed shot (so I was looking for a left handed shot). Next, this player had to make up for the speed Weber gave up through his size and also have a little better ability at moving the puck. After narrowing it down I chose Keith Yandle. He is definitely the best choice for the job because of his offensive ability as a d-man, along with his 70+ assists the past two seasons and his 20+ goals. Yandle also has decent size to go along with his speed, being 6'1'' makes him look like a blinding comet moving down the ice.
Looking back at my decisions I realized a couple things; where's Crosby, Ovechkin, and whoever the hell you want to play the right side with them; what about Zdeno Chara, Chris Pronger, or the numerous other great stay at home d-men; why didn't I go with a more proven goalie?
First, I respect Crosby and Ovechkin to no end. They have immense unsurpassed talent. But the point of this was to create, what I believed to be, a line that would play in all situations, and deliver in all facets of the game, which I believe this line can do if they had the option to play together.
Secondly, while Weber may not the have the track record of a Chara or Pronger, he brings something they no longer have..YOUTH! Both Chara and Pronger are passing their primes and will slowly watch themselves lose playing time because of injuries, so on and so forth.
Finally, I completely stand behind my decision to have Carey Price as my starter. Sure I could have picked Fleury, Miller, Bryzgalov, Thomas, or Luongo. However, Price brings confidence into every game as well as one of the greatest competitive instincts I've ever seen. He plays to win every night and cannot stand to lose.