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How I Would Build It: Ultimate NHL Team Building Guide
How I Would Build It: Ultimate NHL Team Building Guide
I just did a team-building post on the Rockies, and this Summer, consigliere and I are going to be producing a bunch of posts around that concept. Today, we enter the ultimate team build in terms of what an NHL team should look like. If we as a team want to win the Stanley Cup, we have to have these non-negotiables, or we’re lying to ourselves, sort of thing. No more cheesing, let’s get right to it with the Ultimate NHL Team Building guide!
A: No Fake 1Cs
If we don’t have a true number one center we don’t have a chance. Name whoever you want. The team that wins the Cup always has one. Barkov, Eichel, McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, etc. We have to do everything in our power to land a franchise changing 1C. If we don’t have one we’re wasting our time.
B: Best Teams Built Down The Middle
We can’t just have one center. The way we allocate our money, the resources have to be poured into being strong down the middle. Deep at the center spot and monsters on D too. This allows us to constantly roll four lines and not worry about matchups. We are the tidal wave that constantly rolls teams over.
C: Second Line Center Must Be 1C Caliber, and Third Line Center Has To Be Wet Blanket
To go more in depth, the second line center has to be a true anchor that many teams would call a 1C. How the Oilers have Draistaitl as their ultimate side kick. He’s the one on any other team. Preferably someone who puts up points or becomes a big time factor on the powerplay to increase offense.
The third line center must be a wet blanket. Shut down top lines and put up their own sprinkle of offense.
D: Need Big Mobile Defense
Six D and can’t be afraid to use them in any and all situations. The best teams are strong on the back end. Need to have all the parts. Strong defensive defenseman, guys who constantly get the puck out of their zone, and the ones who can lead breakouts off the rush. Have to have it on all three pairs.
E: We’re not paying Goalies
I have a post on this. My stance on it has not changed. This idea that we’re going to pour real financial resources into this position is comical. You should constantly go dirt cheap mode and build the best team you possibly can. They’re bullpen pitchers in baseball. The best homegrown ones are maybe worth paying for. Other than that, it’s a non-starter.
F: Need Top Line Scoring Winger To Kill Momentum
Gotta have a horse that can score. It’s the hardest thing to do in the sport. Dudes who just accident their way into goals. Need a top tier sniper. The rest of the wingers have to check their balls off.
G: Must Have Rats
Can’t put a price tag on Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, Tom Wilson, etc. The nerds will never understand. Don’t even try to convince them otherwise. If you truly want to win, you need that edge.
| Role | Tier Example | Color |
|---|---|---|
| 🐀 Talented Rat | Marchand, Tkachuk | 🟣 Purple |
| 🧠 Elite 1C (True Franchise) | Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon | 🔴 Red |
| 🧱 Strong 2C (1C on avg teams) | Hertl, Kadri, Draisaitl | 🟠 Orange |
| 🧊 Shutdown 3C w/ pop | William Karlsson, Lowry | 🟡 Yellow |
| 🔁 4C Forecheck + Grit | ? | ⚪ White |
| 🧱 Top Pair D (All-situation) | Heiskanen, Makar | 🔴 Red |
| 🧤 Shutdown PK D | McNabb, Tanev | 🟡 Yellow |
| 🧠 Mobile Puck Mover | Hughes, Toews | 🟠 Orange |
| 🚫 No-Pay Goalies | (Only pay if homegrown stud) | ⛔ Gray |
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