If you were building a team, which position would be your main priority?

[Steerpike]

Definitely Center.

Very rarely, do you see a team win a cup without a Center that would be widely regarded as being one of the best in the league. Only team I can recall doing this was the 2019 St. Louis Blues.

For me, I think I'd draft the following in order:

1) #1 Center
2) #1Defenseman
3) #2 Center
4) #1Goalie
5) 1st line Winger
6) 1st pairing Defenseman
7) 2nd line Winger
8) 2nd line Winger
9) 2nd pairing Defenseman
10) 2nd pairing Defenseman
11) 2nd line Winger
12) 3rd line Center
13) 3rd pairing Defenseman
14) 3rd line Winger
15) 3rd pairing Defenseman
16) 3rd line Winger
17) Back-up Goalie
18) 4th line Center
19) 4th line Winger
20) 4th line Winger
21) 7th Defenseman
22) 13th forward; Center that can play wing
23) Winger

This is a good list, but I would prioritize a great third defensemen way more than second line wingers. Especially when you've already got your 2C as high as you do, your second line wingers aren't critical guys.

Your third and fourth defenders are a critical link. In the playoffs you can basically completely shelter your third pairing. You can't shelter your second pairing. They're basically going to split the game with the first pairing. If it's a weak link they are going to hemorrhage goals against.

It's like having a great 2C. You always want a great two way center on the ice, and you always need someone who can play point guard on the ice.

It's the Ryan McDonaghs, the Nicklas Hjalmersonns, the Jake Muzzins. Those are the guys who will really define the style your team is able to play.

 

[Dulind]

Build through the middle - and once you have a mix of skill and two-way centers, focus on your 1A/1B while keeping an eye on puck moving D men.

Lastly, fill it all out with wingers and stay at home physical blueliners.

 

[Regal]

While I would prioritize at center, obviously you have to work within what’s available and be open to other directions. I will say, moreso than center though, I think I’d prioritize play drivers. Guys like Kucherov, Marchand, Stone, Panarin, Marner, Kane, etc, can effectively work as the primary play driver on their lines and don’t necessarily need a great center to succeed: see Stephenson centering Stone.

 

[tarheelhockey]

The poll results seem correct. Center, followed closely by defenseman, with goalie a distant 3rd and then wingers.

If there's an especially phenomenal goalie available, maybe I have second thoughts.

 

[wetcoast]

defense, followed very closely by center

Nashville is that you?

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

A truly elite player at any position is more important than getting a very, very good player at the "right" position.

That said, defense wins championships.

Lidström, Chara, Hedman, Doughty, Makar, Keith, Pietrangelo, Letang.. it's not like a lot of teams have won without a d-man that was at or near the top.

Sure... Ideally you definitely, without question you want both an elite 1C and an elite 1D to win. That's what truly make championship winning teams.

But, if you can only have one or the other... Center is the most important position.

 

[Ruthervin]

This is a good list, but I would prioritize a great third defensemen way more than second line wingers. Especially when you've already got your 2C as high as you do, your second line wingers aren't critical guys.

Your third and fourth defenders are a critical link. In the playoffs you can basically completely shelter your third pairing. You can't shelter your second pairing. They're basically going to split the game with the first pairing. If it's a weak link they are going to hemorrhage goals against.

It's like having a great 2C. You always want a great two way center on the ice, and you always need someone who can play point guard on the ice.

It's the Ryan McDonaghs, the Nicklas Hjalmersonns, the Jake Muzzins. Those are the guys who will really define the style your team is able to play.

Excellent points!

 

[BlueBaron]

In general I think C first D second but I can see a logic to getting D first because they take longer.

Conversely you might want to spam C because it's so hard to hit on.

But of course real life is messier than that. Size and character are pretty important. I might rather have a big player or a leader if talent is even.

Really you have to go best player available. If your first player is a 90 point winger it's not the end of the world.

In a perfect world I'd grab my #1Rhd first and get my C next year but of course every draft class has to be approached on its merits.

I certainly don't pass on a better player to check a box or you get Strome instead of Marner. BPA every day.

 

[thadd]

Defense wins playoff series, but center depth gets you into the playoffs.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

C/D
G

W

 

[ole ole]

You just got the job as GM of a expansion team. What is the first position you begin building your new franchise around?

It all depends on who's available. I start my build around the best player possible.

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

From nothing a la Kraken style

In a 4 years laps where i should draft top 5 and in a ideal world

#1 D
#1 D
#1 C
#1/2 C OR Top line forward like Huberdeau etc a guy who can make things happen on his own

I really like the idea of having 2 d-men who play apart 22+ min per game

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I would normally follow the old tried and true C>D>W>G, but recently I've been thinking that position might matter less than I used to believe.

Players like Nuke, Kuch, Marner, Stone....there are only a few C's that I would take before them. You could argue someone like Palat impacts games more than the average C.

All things equal, it might be that D actually has the most impact on winning probability, considering the icetime they log.