Really fun thread, and great idea.
The options to pick from are so close I feel, that I almost have to break it down further into need, fit into the lineup, and even how they would help us match-up wise (Columbus 1st, probably Boston next if looking ahead, which you shouldn't).
So I'm thinking top end players . . . Gilmour, Clark, Sundin, Salming, Belfour.
Ok, so you have to consider that positions like goalie, unless just mediocre or weak, should stay the same unless it's a significant upgrade. Unlike the skaters, there can be only one . . . so with that said, Andersen is solid enough, and I think a skater would be a much greater help.
So what are our current greatest weaknesses?
Very little grit, a slight lack of scoring depth. Defensive defencemen.
As amazing as top-end Gilmour was . . . I honestly think that with Matthews and Tavares, he would get lost in the shuffle a bit, but of course one of those guys (Tavares or Gilmour) would be pushed to wing. Shoot, I think I might have just changed my mind . . that means Nylander - Matthews - Marner would have Gilmour - Tavares - whoever behind them. Crapdoodles, that would be amazing, I give you that.
I think Sundin is a similar situation as Gilmour . . . we think of them differently, but really - Matthews is just a modern day Sundin with slightly better scoring touch. Gilmour is like a higher level Marner.
But I think it's between Wendel and Borje, myself.
Wendel checks off - in an A+ fashion, I might add - a couple of our glaring weaknesses in one fell swoop. Crash and bang player that would make our current banger Hyman look like a soft wuss (no offence intended, I love Hyman). Tough as nails playoff performer who can score with the best of them. And, he can skate, would be able to keep up in today's game, I have no doubt of it.
Borje would help us tremendously too, no doubt. Would instantly be our best defensive d-man, likely pairing with Reilly, and would give Reilly reign to be able to play his offensive game. Would add to our grit as well.
Really, really tough call . . . sigh.
But I choose Wendel Clark, because he is a piece we don't have at all - super tough and gritty winger who is also a top end scorer. And then I cross my fingers that our next match-up is Boston, so that I can watch a game 4 dust-up where Clark literally beheads Marchand.
Nice to dream.