Looking at it from a long range perspective:
Hall, McDavid, Klefbom, Lander
Didn't include Eberle because there is the possibility of Yakupov surpassing him, don't want a $6 million 2nd line winger.
Didn't include RNH because there is the possibility of Draisaitl surpassing him, don't want a $6 million 3rd line center.
Didn't include Nurse cause he still plays a junior style game, he'll need to reign things in and start playing more like a pro. He's great as a rover in junior, but that style of game doesn't fly in the NHL unless you are all world.
The odd inclusion is Lander, I included him for multiple reasons, I think he is going to continue to grow as a player and I see him being a key role player for us, helping in all situations for a long time. Secondly he has great leadership characteristics and could see him being captain material, he is always well liked and well respected wherever he goes. Lastly it's always important to have a guy in the system who worked his way up the hard way on the farm into becoming an NHL player, it's easy to get discouraged being a former hotshot junior or college player when you are in your 3 or 4th year of the AHL with little more then a cup of coffee in the NHL, having a player who really showed that perseverance can pay off sets an example that others can follow. We haven't been getting enough of those critical role players like Lander or Fernando Pisani, you need a steady supply of cost controlled players to be able to ice a competitive team to surround our superstars when they all have fat contracts.
