Build the best NHL team with players of different nationalities

[Svedu]

lmao if kylington is not swedish then barkov is not finnish.

kylington is born and raised in sweden and speaks fluent swedish

He has both nationalities but I get your point. Either the guy wanted a good player with another nationality to make room for another Swede? Or otherwise he's just plain and simple a r*cist.

 

[Svedu]

Sweden have better defencemen, forward depth and centers than Russia. No Russian defenceman would make the Swedish team. I think Sweden are ahead of Russia, but not ahead of the USA. Can’t look at the Russian defencemen and have them in the top 3. It’s as simple as that.

Canada
USA
Sweden
Russia
Finland
Czechia

Is my big 6 ranking.

Oh, so you have better centers than Russia but that don't matter when Finland clearly have better centers than Sweden? We have better goalies as well... Your never ending twists and turns.
But oh yeah, of course I forgot that you think good offensive minded D´s automatically makes a nation the best.

Corrected list:
Canada
Russia/Finland/USA
Sweden
Czechia and in a couple of years Slovakia.

 

[AB13]

Oh, so you have better centers than Russia but that don't matter when Finland clearly have better centers than Sweden? We have better goalies as well... Your never ending twists and turns.
But oh yeah, of course I forgot that you think good offensive minded D´s automatically makes a nation the best.

Corrected list:
Canada
Russia/Finland/USA
Sweden
Czechia and in a couple of years Slovakia.

Sweden are superior to Finland in every position but centers, where we are even. Saying that Barkov, Aho, Lundell and Hintz is a better center group than Zibanejad, Lindholm, Pettersson, Bäckström is definately controversial. How many finns make team Sweden? At the maximum, 5 or 6, counting a backup goalie. You don’t seriously think Saros is better than Markström do you? We have a more balanced team than Russia, that is why we are better. Their defence just is not great and they have worse players outside of the top 2 lines. Sweden have better forward depth, defencemen and goaltending than Finland, and are therefore better. We have four lines of top NHL producers and 7 or 8 undisputed #1 defencemen to choose from (with a good balance of defensive, offensive and two way defenders). On paper Finland are a tier below the best countries. The only reason people think you could compete is coaching and winning second rate tournaments without countries having their best players due to good coaching.

You keep saying things like ”Finland have better centers” (which they don’t even have)like centers are the only position in hockey. Good luck beating a team with 4 high end scoring lines and 3 pairs of number 1 defencemen with the likes of Lehkonen and Armia as forwards and only 1 high level NHL defenceman.

 

[AB13]

Finland barely have better defencemen or forward depth than Czechia. Outside of Barkov and Aho, the teams look quite similar. I don’t really know who you think Finland are. They have not beaten Sweden best on best this century and have never had the players for it. That’s still the case. Two wins in second rate tournaments doesn’t make you a Sweden/USA/Canada level hockey nation. You could beat any team in a one off game thanks to Jalonen, of course.

 

[Shawn Heins 44]

This is the best one IMO... good use of 2 czechs, 2 Slovaks, 2 Swiss and 2 Danes.

Pretty much agree, altough for me I would prefer Blueger over Balcers but they are pretty much a wash, I just think very highly of Blueger.

 

[Shawn Heins 44]

Draisaitl (GER) - McDavid (CAN) - Pastrnak (CZE)
Ovechkin (RUS) - Barkov (FIN) - Zuccarello (NOR)
Bjorkstrand (DEN) - Matthews (USA) - Texier (FRA)
Tatar (SVK) - Kopitar (SLO) - Sharangovich (BLR)

Hedman (SWE) - Kyllington (ERI)
Josi (SUI) - Seider (GER)
Suter (SUI) - Chara (SVK)

Andersen (DEN)
Merzlikins (LAT)

Not sure who that Suter on D is here for Switzerland, but if you are referring to Pius Suter of Detroit he is Center, and also there are better options available as the second Swiss player with Meier, Fiala or Hischier.

 

[Eco]

You get one American player and you use it on a backup goalie?

This.

WTF man.

 

[Svedu]

Sweden are superior to Finland in every position but centers, where we are even. Saying that Barkov, Aho, Lundell and Hintz is a better center group than Zibanejad, Lindholm, Pettersson, Bäckström is definately controversial. How many finns make team Sweden? At the maximum, 5 or 6, counting a backup goalie. You don’t seriously think Saros is better than Markström do you? We have a more balanced team than Russia, that is why we are better. Their defence just is not great and they have worse players outside of the top 2 lines. Sweden have better forward depth, defencemen and goaltending than Finland, and are therefore better. We have four lines of top NHL producers and 7 or 8 undisputed #1 defencemen to choose from (with a good balance of defensive, offensive and two way defenders). On paper Finland are a tier below the best countries. The only reason people think you could compete is coaching and winning second rate tournaments without countries having their best players due to good coaching.

You keep saying things like ”Finland have better centers” (which they don’t even have)like centers are the only position in hockey. Good luck beating a team with 4 high end scoring lines and 3 pairs of number 1 defencemen with the likes of Lehkonen and Armia as forwards and only 1 high level NHL defenceman.

Barkov is better than Zibanejad. Aho is better than Lindholm. Lundell is better than old Bäckström, I mean give Lundell Ovechkin and then come back Hintz is clearly better than EP.
Saros- just as good as Markström. Husso and Kähkönen are better than your reserves, which makes us stronger. Do you understand? Better system and coaches. 3-1 Finland.

Funny thing is you've not learnt anything from Finlands success these last years. Give me your best "4 scoring lines", that's not how it works. I wouldn't mind a responsible Puljujärvi, Lundell, Kapanen or Anttila in a winning team. There is other things in hockey as well, BP and such things as balanced teams. Also, a lot of ur centers are able to play on the wing.

Laine-Barkov-Rantanen ( That on it's own will beat Sweden no matter what you have to offer)
Hintz-Aho-Teräväinen (Bye, bye)
Granlund-Lundell-Puljujärvi (Give me a more well balanced third line than that from Sweden)
Kapanen-Kotkaniemi-Anttila (Those wingers are perfect for the BP together with Lundell)
Björninen or Luostarinen can replace Kotkaniemi with ease or do it even better.

The thing here is? You are a stat watcher, or "Your eyes don´t lie" watcher. So It doesn't even matter what anyone writes because you think hockey is only about having the best scorers and offensive D ´s. Good for you.

 

[AB13]

Barkov is better than Zibanejad. Aho is better than Lindholm. Lundell is better than old Bäckström, I mean give Lundell Ovechkin and then come back Hintz is clearly better than EP.
Saros- just as good as Markström. Husso and Kähkönen are better than your reserves, which makes us stronger. Do you understand? Better system and coaches. 3-1 Finland.

Funny thing is you've not learnt anything from Finlands success these last years. Give me your best "4 scoring lines", that's not how it works. I wouldn't mind a responsible Puljujärvi, Lundell, Kapanen or Anttila in a winning team. There is other things in hockey as well, BP and such things as balanced teams. Also, a lot of ur centers are able to play on the wing.

Laine-Barkov-Rantanen ( That on it's own will beat Sweden no matter what you have to offer)
Hintz-Aho-Teräväinen (Bye, bye)
Granlund-Lundell-Puljujärvi (Give me a more well balanced third line than that from Sweden)
Kapanen-Kotkaniemi-Anttila (Those wingers are perfect for the BP together with Lundell)
Björninen or Luostarinen can replace Kotkaniemi with ease or do it even better.

The thing here is? You are a stat watcher, or "Your eyes don´t lie" watcher. So It doesn't even matter what anyone writes because you think hockey is only about having the best scorers and offensive D ´s. Good for you.

I just don’t agree with your assessment of players, or your view on what style of team to build. Hope you understand that the best teams will have 4 high end scoring lines. It’s impossible to win without really really good depth scoring best on best. History shows this. The top heavy Russian teams without great depth scoring or defencemen haven’t won things. NHL like pure defensive bottom 6s are not used in best on best international tournaments. A purely defensive bottom 6 only exists as a concept because of the salary cap in the NHL.

Landeskog - Bäckström - Nylander
Pettersson - Zibanejad - Forsberg
Would be two balanced top 6 lines that I would take over the finnish top 6. At least it’s on par.
Moving on to the third line, which will play as much as the top 2, as it has similar amounts of talent.
Bratt - Lindholm - Raymond. That’s a more balanced, and better third line than what Finland have to offer. Blessed with skill, speed, creativity, goalscoring and a selke level two way PPG C.
Want a defensive minded fourth line with skill that’s better than Finland? Seems like you do.
Kempe - Eriksson Ek - Arvidsson. Great. Other options? Want to add someone like Burakovsky or William Karlsson for a different type of play style, feel free.

Now considering a combined defence is all Sweden and that Markström is the best goalie between the teams according to most people, I don’t think it is reasonable to say claim Finland are on par with Sweden on paper. You can claim that Finland can be competitive due to Jalonen, however. Hopefully we get best on best hockey soon so these questions can be answered.

 

[Urbanskog]

If you don't insist on "active NHL players", you could include Leo Komarov (Estonia).

He has never played for Estonia and even lacks Estonian citizenship. At least Auston Matthews would have Mexican citizenship, Alexander Chmelevski Ukrainian, Alexandar Georgiyev Bulgarian, Oliver Kylington Eritrean, Brendan Perlini British, Marco Scandella Italian, Jonas Siegenthaler Thai and Mika Zibanejad Iranian.

 

[Miro4Norris]

I just don’t agree with your assessment of players, or your view on what style of team to build. Hope you understand that the best teams will have 4 high end scoring lines. It’s impossible to win without really really good depth scoring best on best. History shows this. The top heavy Russian teams without great depth scoring or defencemen haven’t won things. NHL like pure defensive bottom 6s are not used in best on best international tournaments. A purely defensive bottom 6 only exists as a concept because of the salary cap in the NHL.

Landeskog - Bäckström - Nylander
Pettersson - Zibanejad - Forsberg
Would be two balanced top 6 lines that I would take over the finnish top 6. At least it’s on par.
Moving on to the third line, which will play as much as the top 2, as it has similar amounts of talent.
Bratt - Lindholm - Raymond. That’s a more balanced, and better third line than what Finland have to offer. Blessed with skill, speed, creativity, goalscoring and a selke level two way PPG C.
Want a defensive minded fourth line with skill that’s better than Finland? Seems like you do.
Kempe - Eriksson Ek - Arvidsson. Great. Other options? Want to add someone like Burakovsky or William Karlsson for a different type of play style, feel free.

Now considering a combined defence is all Sweden and that Markström is the best goalie between the teams according to most people, I don’t think it is reasonable to say claim Finland are on par with Sweden on paper. You can claim that Finland can be competitive due to Jalonen, however. Hopefully we get best on best hockey soon so these questions can be answered.

Landy-Barkov-Rantanen
Laine-Aho-Teräväinen
Mika-Hintz-Nylander
Granlund-Lundell-Lindholm

Hedman-Heiskanen
Brodin-Ekholm
Lindell-Karlsson

Saros
Markström

This would be the team if they combined those two. About as much players(Fin 11,Swe 9 in my roster) with more Finns in big roles. Coaching and system for Finland obviously. Just listen eye of Ra man

 

[AB13]

Landy-Barkov-Rantanen
Laine-Aho-Teräväinen
Mika-Hintz-Nylander
Granlund-Lundell-Lindholm

Hedman-Heiskanen
Brodin-Ekholm
Lindell-Karlsson

Saros
Markström

This would be the team if they combined those two. About as much players(Fin 11,Swe 9 in my roster) with more Finns in big roles. Coaching and system for Finland obviously. Just listen eye of Ra man

Some of those selections are just so ridiculous. The likes of Lindell have no place on the team over elite number 1 defencemen. Teraväinen and Hintz also don’t deserve spots, and Lundell should not be anywhere near the discussion. Pettersson deserves a spot of course, despite being inconsistent. Same principle as Laine really, both are too skilled when on form to miss out.

Landeskog - Barkov - Rantanen
Laine - Zibanejad - Nylander
Pettersson - Zibanej - Lindholm
Granlund/Bratt - Aho - Forsberg
Play those four balanced lines equally.

Hedman - Karlsson
Brodin - Klingberg
Dahlin - Andersson
Lindholm - Ekholm/Heiskanen

Markström
Saros

 

[Adam da bomb]

My team:

Leon Draisaitl (Germany) - Connor McDavid (Canada) - Nikita Kucherov (Russia)

Sebastian Aho (Finland) - Auston Matthews (USA) - David Pastrnak(Czech Republic)

Kevin Fiala (Switzerland ) - Anze Kopitar (Slovenia) - Yegor Sharangovich (Belarus)

Mats Zucarello (Norway) - Nikolaj Ehlers (Denmark) - Daniel Sprong (Netherlands)

Roman Josi (Switzerland) - Victor Hedman (Sweden)
Eric Cernak (Slovakia) - Moritz Seider (Germany)
Filip Hronek (Czech Repubic) - Zdeno Chara (Slovakia)

Frederik Andersen (Denmark )
Elvis Merzlikins (Latvia)

What a hard game, interesting thread idea.

 

[Miro4Norris]

Some of those selections are just so ridiculous. The likes of Lindell have no place on the team over elite number 1 defencemen. Teraväinen and Hintz also don’t deserve spots, and Lundell should not be anywhere near the discussion. Pettersson deserves a spot of course, despite being inconsistent. Same principle as Laine really, both are too skilled when on form to miss out.

Landeskog - Barkov - Rantanen
Laine - Zibanejad - Nylander
Pettersson - Zibanej - Lindholm
Granlund/Bratt - Aho - Forsberg
Play those four balanced lines equally.

Hedman - Karlsson
Brodin - Klingberg
Dahlin - Andersson
Lindholm - Ekholm/Heiskanen

Markström
Saros

Funny that Landeskog who is carried by Rantanen and Mack is only swede with higher ppg than Hintz over past 2 seasons but Hintz doesn't fit here. TT is lock too especially with his chemistry with Aho and Lundell is better defensive player than any swede. Yeah Heiskanen is 8/9 dmen for sure... Must suck that Petey and Dahlin were busts but adding them is ridiculous. Klingberg is horrible player wanna explain why he plays less and with worse advanced stats than Heiskanen and Lindell in Dallas if he's better player? Even Ristolainen played more with better results last year in Buffalo than Dahlin.. Saros and even Husso have way better goals saved above expected stats than Marks this year, just like last year. Zibanejad two times before Aho is one priceless part here as well. Laine and Petey aren't comparable Laine have played about half of Petey's games and still has better stats.

 

[AB13]

Funny that Landeskog who is carried by Rantanen and Mack is only swede with higher ppg than Hintz over past 2 seasons but Hintz doesn't fit here. TT is lock too especially with his chemistry with Aho and Lundell is better defensive player than any swede. Yeah Heiskanen is 8/9 dmen for sure... Must suck that Petey and Dahlin were busts but adding them is ridiculous. Klingberg is horrible player wanna explain why he plays less and with worse advanced stats than Heiskanen and Lindell in Dallas if he's better player? Even Ristolainen played more with better results last year in Buffalo than Dahlin.. Saros and even Husso have way better goals saved above expected stats than Marks this year, just like last year. Zibanejad two times before Aho is one priceless part here as well. Laine and Petey aren't comparable Laine have played about half of Petey's games and still has better stats.

Calling Dahlin who is a top 10 defenceman in the world this season on a shit team a bust is hilarious, as is most of your assessment on these players. You nitpick strange stats to argue Finland is better, but not one poster that isn’t finnish has ever said Finland have a better roster than Sweden. As of now, you and your one high level NHL defenceman are not on our level.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Landy-Barkov-Rantanen
Laine-Aho-Teräväinen
Mika-Hintz-Nylander
Granlund-Lundell-Lindholm

Hedman-Heiskanen
Brodin-Ekholm
Lindell-Karlsson

Saros
Markström

This would be the team if they combined those two. About as much players(Fin 11,Swe 9 in my roster) with more Finns in big roles. Coaching and system for Finland obviously. Just listen eye of Ra man

yeah landy with rantanen is a must. great chemistry. and nobody dares f*** around with rantanen when landy is there.

and sure playing with rantanen and mackinnon makes landeskog better, be he a good player on his own.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Funny that Landeskog who is carried by Rantanen and Mack is only swede with higher ppg than Hintz over past 2 seasons but Hintz doesn't fit here. TT is lock too especially with his chemistry with Aho and Lundell is better defensive player than any swede. Yeah Heiskanen is 8/9 dmen for sure... Must suck that Petey and Dahlin were busts but adding them is ridiculous. Klingberg is horrible player wanna explain why he plays less and with worse advanced stats than Heiskanen and Lindell in Dallas if he's better player? Even Ristolainen played more with better results last year in Buffalo than Dahlin.. Saros and even Husso have way better goals saved above expected stats than Marks this year, just like last year. Zibanejad two times before Aho is one priceless part here as well. Laine and Petey aren't comparable Laine have played about half of Petey's games and still has better stats.

calling dahlin a bust is taking it too far.

2018-19	Buffalo Sabres	NHL	82	9	35	44	34	-13	|
2019-20	Buffalo Sabres	NHL	59	4	36	40	38	-7	|
2020-21	Buffalo Sabres	NHL	56	5	18	23	26	-36	|
2021-22	Buffalo Sabres	NHL	49	8	25	33	40	-13	|

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Thats not bad stats. Keep in mind that he is only 21.

 

[Zamuz]

He has both nationalities but I get your point. Either the guy wanted a good player with another nationality to make room for another Swede? Or otherwise he's just plain and simple a r*cist.

Why would it be r*cist to call someone Eritrean who has Eritrean nationality?

 

[Svedu]

Why would it be r*cist to call someone Eritrean who has Eritrean nationality?

It isn't, but what was your point then? To be creative or funny? Either that or it was something fishy. He's played for Sweden already. He's raised in the Swedish system and his family lives there. Does Eritrea even have a team in hockey? My point exactly. He's just as much a swede as Barkov is Finnish, and not because Kylington has one parent with Swedish origin. It's because of the simple fact he's grown up there and born in Stockholm, no matter what origin he has.
Just like Zibanejad is Swedish, even if he's dad is Persian and mother Finnish and the fact that he understands Finnish. He's born and raised in Huddinge. Just like Puljujärvi is mostly Finnish.