Coach
Scotty Bowman's the greatest of all-time, so you've certainly got an advantage here.
Forwards
Very dangerous first line here. Bossy is an elite sniper, and to have Lindsay serving as the glue guy of the line makes the offense that much better. They've got all the elements to be very successful. Probably one of the strongest first lines in the draft, and is this team's biggest strength. Lindsay wasn't a great defensive player, but he'll hustle on the backcheck, and Oates' defensive ability make it solid defensively for a first line as well.
Thanks. Was happy to start W-W given the choices and then happy Oates fell a bit from last year. I wanted him or Thornton to C this line. Couldn't be happier with how it turned out
This modern line certainly doesn't lack talent. Datsyuk and Alfredsson are both strong two-way players that will make up for Kovy's defensive deficiencies. I would prefer that Alfredsson not be the guy providing toughness on the line, but the way the line is composed they don't appear that they'll be a cycling line, they're going to score off the transition. Kovalchuk and Datsyuk are both puck-dominant players, with Kovalchuk preferring to carry the puck himself and Datsyuk liking to hold onto the puck and use his vision. That might not be the perfect fit together, but Datsyuk's adaptability shouldn't make it too much of a problem.
Agree on everything here. I do think, however, as i posted in my write up, that given the real life chemistry between Kovy and Datsyuk, on the international stage, they should be very effective in the offensive zone. Also, when Sundin plays on this unit, he'll have real life chemistry with Alfredsson, again on the international stage.
Pulford and Graham are 2/3 of a prototypical tough, shutdown 3rd line in the ATD, and then there's Sundin. He's definitely strong offensively for a third line center, but prevents the line from being able to be used as a shutdown line, as his defensive credentials at this level are pretty average. I probably would have either went for a more two-way guy at center, or went for more offensive wingers with Sundin. Especially considering the center has the most defensive responsibilities of any of the forward positions. They're three talented players for their positions, but I'm not sure about the fit as a unit. I guess if you want to make a shutdown unit, you can shift Datsyuk down to the third line, and bump Sundin up to the second.
I know my write up below the roster was a bit long winded but i do try to address what you brought up here. The 2nd and 3rd line C's will all depend on matchups. I fully anticipate using Sundin on the 2nd line when i need to put out a truly dominant shutdown line vs some of the elite #1 scoring lines in the draft. If the Selke award had been in existence when Pulford played, i'd likely have 3 Selke winners when Datsyuk is on the 3rd line. I didn't plan on targeting a player of Sundin's offensive skill set for the 3rd line, but when he fell to 250, i couldn't pass up the value. Again, you'll see a lot of line changes with Bowman and i'm sure he'll use those 2 in the best way possible based on matchup needs. Another factor to consider, that some might overlook as well, is Bowman's ability to out think the opposing coaches and mix lines superbly.
4th line provides a little bit of everything. Some offense, physicality, and two-way play without being elite in any one area.
Defense
When you go with forwards with your first two picks, your #1 defenseman is going to suffer. I actually think Savard is a better player than Niedermayer, despite the fact that you took Niedermayer first. In a 32 team draft, Savard is probably one of the last guys to pass as a #1, so in a 28 team draft he's more of an elite #2. I stated my opinion on Niedermayer earlier, he's a good #2 here. The lack of a true #1 hurts you here. They do fit together stylistically.
Agreed on all points. The one thing i'd like to add, was that Bowman was extremely high on Savard as a player (ranked him higher than Robinson and Potvin). Now we all know both of those guys are more valuable than Serge, but it's nice to know that my coach thought extremely highly of Savard. Same thing with Nieds. But i absolutely agree that i have a very low #1 and a really good #2.
I see the two guys on your second pairing as more two solid #4s, I don't see either as a real #3 in this draft. Dutton brings solid offensive numbers, but was known as more of a defensive guy so that should help with Hollett's propensity to jump up into the play. Like your first pairing, the lack of a real #3 hurts it and makes it below average.
I'd like to think Dutton would be an average #3 here IMHO. He's a HOF'er that was dominant (check his bio) in his own end and was no slouch offensively. Made the HOF despite never winning a SC and not producing elite offensive numbers. Hollett is definitely a #4, although given he retired as the all time leading defenceman in scoring, would be a pretty solid #4. Again, just my opinion based on what i was able to dig up
I don't know much about Kuzkin. What years were his Soviet AS team selections? That matters a lot in determining his all-time greatness. Morrow is a solid, PKing #6.
Kuzkin:
-3 Olympic Gold Medals (one of only 6 hockey players to have 3)
-8 Gold Medals at the World Championships
-Captain of the Soviet Team at the Summit Series
-Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2005.
-2 First Team Soviet League All-Star Selections
-4 Second Team Soviet League All-Star Selections
-70 goals in 530 Soviet League games
-18 goals in 169 international games
Goalies
When you didn't participate in the goalie run earlier in the draft, you were definitely better off waiting to get a goalie. You got good value on Barrasso considering where other goalies were taken, but he's still a below average goalie here.
Yep, won't disagree here at all. Once we got down into the mid pack of goalies i knew i'd be waiting. Better value elsewhere and after i took Bowman, i was targeting Barrasso (Bowman drafted Tommy B in 83 and won 2 SC with him in Pittsburgh) exclusively.
PP
Very dangerous first unit. Second unit is pretty good. What are Kuzkin's offensive numbers like? 70 goals in 530 Soviet league games and 18 goals in 169 international games don't seem like ATD PP quality.
I think Hollett given his offensive prowess is a really good 2nd unit PP QB. I put Kuzkin on that unit based on some advice from TDMM to be honest.
PK
Two very good first unit forwards, defensemen are solid too. Forwards make it a strong unit. I would take Sundin out of that rotation and make it just Bourne-Alfredsson. I would also probably put Niedermayer on the second unit ahead of Kuzkin.
Yeah Bourne will be the go to guy on the 2nd unit, but Sundin can rotate in from time to time as he has a darn good PK scoring resume
I like: Very strong top six, especially the top line. 2/3 of a very good shutdown third line(will be elite if you decide to move Datsyuk down in late-game situations), strong PP units, strong PKing forwards, Bowman is the best coach ever
I don't like: Lack of a #1 and #3 defenseman, goaltending is below average, will Kovalchuk/Datsyuk work on the same line?