Ottawa 67s review...
*A much better entry than the last draft, and much closer to your team from ATD 7, which won a very tough division, and lost in the conference final.
*Likely the most dangerous first line in the draft. FF and I are likely alone in thinking that Howe is the best forward ever. He's partnered with an ultra-skilled, two-way playmaker in Apps. I have some concerns about Firsov's level of competition when he did his damage at the Worlds, but I don't deny his skill level or his place as a credible No. 1 LW in an ATD. (Then again, you could have Jonus Hoglund on that line, and it would still be one of the draft's best).
*I like the second line's make-up. Keats is such a strong second line centre with his skill level and toughness. Stewart's very underrated; gave him a long look for the second line LW spot on our team. Martinec should have all sorts of room to weave his magic on that line.
*We're both big fans of Gregg Sheppard. Of course, my appreciation for him stems from his playing days down here in Estevan. Go Bruins! Solid centre for the third line. Only thing you might want is a little more toughness to mix things up. All three guys are excellent defensively (especially Ramsay), but they're all cut from the same cloth.
*Love that fourth line. From the perspective of building a fourth line with a purpose and a direction, it's the best in the draft. They're all tough and rugged. They bring leadership. They can score. Play them as an energy/momentum line, play them as an agitator line, play them as a decent scoring line. Just play them. Glad they're not in my division, although they are in my conference, and an all Ottawa conference final isn't far-fetched. We just have to escape our divisions.
*Top pairing is excellent. Thomson isn't Hap Day, and Clancy isn't Gus Mortson, and some might think this tandem is a little on the small side, but Thomson and Clancy both bring speed, offensive ability (Thomson finished top 10 in assists twice at a time when defencemen didn't get involved offensively) and some serious pound-for-pound toughness. One day I'll reunite the Mortson-Thomson duo, and boast the best shut-down pairing in the draft.
*Glad that you resisted the temptation to unite Suchy and Clancy. I think size is overrated, but two defencemen that small wouldn't work. I think Barry Beck goes too soon, I don't think he's No. 4-calibre, but he should be okay with Suchy.
*Keith Magnuson is really underrated. Don't know how he'll do against some of the speedsters in your division, like Middleton and Selanne, but Magnuson is ultra-tough in his own end, he clears the front of the net, and nobody will take liberties on your guys with Magnuson on your team.
*You mentioned in another thread your thoughts on the importance of No. 7 d-men. If that's the case, why is Roman Hamrlik there? I don't think there's anything on Roman's resume, outside of his 1995-96 breakthrough (which wasn't sustained) that says ATD worthy.
*Some might not be impressed with Vezina's numbers, but his career came before goalies could leave their feet to make a save. I'm not a big style guy, but that's a big difference-maker. Good, but not great, No. 1, but he won't cost you a series.
*Ruff's done enough to warrant ATD consideration, but he will be outcoached by most teams.
Here's my team, any criticisms or suggestions would be appreciated:
Ottawa 67s:
Head Coach: Lindy Ruff
Captain: Syl Apps
Alternates: Gordie Howe, King Clancy
Anatoli Firsov - Syl Apps - Gordie Howe
Gaye Stewart - Duke Keats - Vladimir Martinec
Craig Ramsay - Gregg Sheppard - Bengt Gustafsson
Vic Stasiuk- Dale Hunter - Claude Lemieux
Jimmy Roberts Dave Christian
Jimmy Thomson - King Clancy
Jan Suchy - Barry Beck
Keith Magnuson - Doug Crossman
Roman Hamrlik
Georges Vezina
Roger Crozier
PP#1 Firsov-Keats-Howe; Suchy-Beck
PP#2 Stewart-Apps-Martinec; Thomson-Clancy
PK#1 Ramsay-Sheppard; Thomson-Beck
PK#2 Apps-Gustafsson; Clancy-Crossman
