Thanks BB.
1st line: Elite pair of wingers, wonder how Hull and Makarov will do together. Both like the puck. Lach is a weak 1st line center but he's OK there as the two-way presence behind elite offensive wingers. The line efficiency will depend on Hull and Makarov's ability to work together.
Makarov wasn't a selfish puckhog, he was a pass-first Soviet. He even said when he went to the NHL that coaches there said he should pass less and shoot more! Here he has Soviet guru Tarasov preaching "look for the pass first", in this case, "Get the puck to Bobby". Once I took Hull I knew the greatest left winger ever needed a specific set of complementary linemates, and I identified early what my options were. Hull-Makarov are like Selanne-Kariya, or more aptly: like typical Soviet teams where the wingers are the superstars and the centers have the most defensive responsibilities of the line (eg., Petrov, Larionov). Lach I thought an ideal third star of the top line, renowned for his lightning speed, elite grit and corner play, checking and passing. He has an Art Ross season, a Hart, three times 1st in NHL assists despite doing the dirty work for the line, twice 1st in Stanley Cup championship playoff assists. Only Frank Nighbor, Bobby Clarke (both clearly unavailable if I took Bourque with Hull) or Sid Abel were alternative ideal options for the line. And I thought Lach=Abel, so was willing to wait, since Montreal & Detroit I predraft targetted as too deep to burn a pick on early.
2nd line: I think this is your 3rd line, but it's close. Francis and Goulet bring the physicality by committee, Francis is another two-way force and a good playmaker for Hull (wish you had taken Modano, whom I prefer to Francis, but Francis-Hull works there). Goulet is a good complementary scorer giving more pass options to Francis.
Glad you see that. Portland has a 2A and 2B line, the difference is 2A is built to get the puck to Brett Hull, an elite trigger man whereas 2B is built to defensively face opposing top lines when protecting a lead, well capable of scoring on turnovers on transition.
3rd line: Near equal to your 2nd line. Hextall is one of the hardest hitter and a solid goalscorer, Datsyuk brings the defense and stickhandling, Elias can make plays and support Datsyuk defensively. I think it's a great 3rd line.
Yep. The 2B line tasked with a lot of ice time against opposition top lines when protecting a lead. 6-time Selke finalist, 3-time winner Datsyuk has the speed, stickhandling and defensive skill to face and pickpocket (Frank Nighbor style) the puck from the opposing top center, having done so his whole career (led Russia in Olympic scoring two tourneys 'cuz his national team needed scoring more than his NHL coaches demanded of him. But when Elias or Hextall recover pucks and feed Pavel, expect Datsyukian dekes to undress great dmen (only in Mario have I seen equivalent stickwork past blueliners in traffic).
You have a great trio of RWers, like my own team. However it must be said that your center line, while competent two-way centers, are a little on the weak side compared to what is out there in the rest of the league.
It's a great trio of LWers, too! Hull the best ever, Goulet solid 2nd liner, Elias elite 3rd liner. Tonelli a 3rd line worthy depth option, more than capable of greater ice time in case of injury or game situation.
As for centers, the bottom two lines have elite skillsets (Datsyuk, Kesler), and the top two are supposed to help star wingers! We are building lines, so every line needs a 3rd wheel, a role player. Here it's great defensive passing pivots renowned for their hard work getting pucks to linemates (Lach, Francis).
Note: I do not think Modano better than Francis. Mike was faster and a better shooter but Ron was a better passer and checker, skills my lines needed at center. Plus, no one outworked Francis (it has been said of the 12-year captain) whereas Modano was criticized a few times early in his career for lack of effort at times (though Hitchcock changed him in Dallas).
4th line: Solid pesty/defensive unit.
5-time Selke finalist Kesler will look to get the puck to dmen (Bourque, Hod Stuart) or linemate Tonelli, John having scored significantly at the highest levels of competition as a role player: 1984 Canada Cup MVP, scoring 63 playoff points over the 4-year Isles dynasty, "The Greasy Jet" renowned for several clutch goals playing on the 2nd line.
1st pairing: Probably the greatest pairing in the draft. An elite #1D and another #1D to complement him. Clancy is clearly a #1D, albeit low-end. They will be particularly dangerous offensively, but obviously very good defensively too.
I figured if I was going to recreate Soviet-style magic, the team needed an elite top pairing like Fetisov-Kasatonov provided. But it's a 12-team all-time situation, so I upgraded both of the duo. Bourque gives Clancy the freedom to be, well, King Clancy!
2nd pairing: I know you disagree since you're a big Lionel Conacher fan, but while I like the pairing as a unit, it does lack a true #3D at this level IMO.
Hod Stuart was a superstar, arguably the greatest defenseman ever until Cleghorn. Conacher was an athletic beast who could physically go against the biggest opposing forwards, especially around the crease. I see it as a solid 3D with a solid 4D, though you might see it as two solid 4Ds.
3rd pairing: Solid defensive pairing.
Lowe was named Best Shotblocker of the 1980's by Ultimate Hockey. I remember him as a defense-first blueliner who let Coffey and Huddy be the rushers. On the flashy Oilers, Lowe was boring, a dependable leader who was praised by teammates, not a highlight reel guy.
Desjardins was a heavy-minute all-situation blueliner who was very responsible, yet could move the puck up ice without pinching or rushing deep riskily.
Broda is a playoff stud and I like dynasty goalies. Like me you took care of getting an elite backup in Holecek.
He was ranked the 3rd greatest Stanley Cup hero goalie in the HOH project. Holecek may be as good as Tretiak or better, as has said some ATDers.
1st PP is great, with Clancy-Bourque being an elite pairing, as well as Hull and Makarov providing the elite skills needed. Should be a scary unit.
Makarov's pass-first mentality will have him feeding Bobby Hull in the slot or Ray Bourque at the point: the hardest shot ever or the most prolific shooter ever. He can't go wrong choosing between them.
2nd PP is OK. Brett the biggest threat on it.
Yes, getting the puck to Brett Hull is the priority. He is 2nd all time in regular season pp goals (though Ovechkin should pass him soon), 1st all time in playoff pp goals (ahead of Gretzky & Bossy), no one else having scored more - 300+ pp goals - regular season and playoffs combined.
But, again, you don't mention Hod Stuart. He should be impactful.
I listed pk units first because I think so highly of them. Kesler can play wingman to Datsyuk and 2nd faceoff option (refs throw guys out of the circle sometimes), Ryan having been a Selke finalist the year he played wingman to Sundin. Bourque does everything and Lowe is a shot blocker and net presence. But, remember, a team's #1 pker is the netminder. Broda shut out great Habs teams during his 5-cup wins, including their pp.
Thanks again for the Winterhawks review, BB.
