I'd ice this:
Carter-Bergeron-Crosby: Bergeron is a proven NHLer. His chemistry with Crosby is satisfying enough. Carter on the wing is
going to be money. I have to break the Getzlaf/Ladd/Carter line but Carter is a mature player and will work well with those two.
All three of them could play in the NHL right now. This line is relatively safe, can play a two way game, can probably handle
some NHL grind.
Ovechkin-Malkin-Getzlaf: The risk line. The one that gives headaches to BOTH coaches. Will cost a lot of goals but could score
you many. All three ooze with natural ability. Malkin and Getzlaf are very big boys, Ovechkin has the body of a mature player. No
NHL experience but Ovechkin made an adult elite event that many NHLers can only dream about and did quite well. Getzlaf would have had
a NHL shot. Malkin I don't know. Very raw but his playmaking will be rewarded with those two.
Richards-Olesz-Fristche: This is a very smart line. Richards is fearless. Bobby Clarke knows as well as I do that Richards is an achiever.
He will succeed anywhere, NHL included. Clarke suggests both Carter and Richards had a chance at cracking the NHL this year. My eyes
tell me he is damn right about that. Fritsche is an experienced NHLer. Olesz is a smart player who also competes against men in a pro league.
If things get out of hand with my second line, I fall back on this one to regain a bit of composure. If my second line can't pull it off,
I break both lines and mix and match. I wish I had less centers but I love those guys too much.
Ladd-Shafigulin-Stewart: This line can handle the toughness of the NHL. Ladd's corner game is pretty much NHL-ready, and he quietly ended up high in scoring
in this tournament. Stewart can provide offense once in a while but what I ask of this line is mainly to set the tone and show kids
can handle the roughness and dish out some. Shafigulin is damn smart and perfect between those two. These three can and will keep a weak NHL team busy in
their zone.
Phaneuf-Weber: Quite a duo. They're not going to stop everything but I think they can do the job. Phaneuf's physical game is NHL-ready, much the same way
Ruutu was. Ruutu stepped right in the NHL and took names. Phaneuf can and WILL do he same.
Suter-Meszaros: I've seen the Habs go in the playoffs with a worse top four. Meszaros is another guy who has played with and against men in pro hockey.
He is an outstanding player as far as I'm concerned. Suter has AHL experience, a very smart defensemen. Both have quite a physical presence considering
their size and role. A fun, smart puck-moving duo that isn't one-dimensional. Suter needs to be in control if Meszaros goes a little wild with the rushes.
Belle-Smid: Belle is a better athlete right now than some NHLer ever will be. He is a specimen. But he is the weak link on this team regardless.
Smid plays a very pro-like game. Will do the job nicely here. Was is very smart, the other is gifted but raw as hell.
I'm not saying this lineup will win but I don't think it will be the blow out you guys expect. Any coach will tell you that right now, they are amazed at how
well conditioned those youngsters are. It's not a matter of underestimating the NHL or the pros to me, but rather to not underestimate the top quality available
here.
I wish I could have Staal, Burns, Horton, etc. for this team, though.
My team may or may not be to your liking. I can say that even some of the players that did not make it would probably have had a shot at making the NHL this year.
2003 was truly an outstanding crop. A lot of these guys are mature and would be top quality any other year but the draft was deep. Without the lockout, many on this team would be in the NHL.
Question mark could be goaltending. Shwarz, Montoya and Rask are my options. If my goaltending is hot, this team is good enough, on a good day, to win the odd game against NHLers. You need
a month of preparation against good competition and stellar coaching.
I love the leadership on my team. I can't complain in that respect. I love the physical game. Under the circumstances (U20 roster) I think the experience
level is decent. To say this game would get blown out by AHLers is doubtful to me. Malkin and Ovechkin are VERY solid RSL players. Bergeron is a solid NHL
scoring forward. My top 6 scoring can rival certain NHL teams. My grind line can make things difficult but could be shaky. I don't know if my third line can do
a lot of good but I do know they won't blow it for me. I think I have guys for a solid penalty kill. And I know some NHL teams cannot ice a powerplay that would
be HALF as effective as what I have on hand.
The big question is whether these guys can keep it under control. When they panic, they will get crushed like weak NHL teams. The Penguins, for instance.
And when they're on their games, just like the Pens, they will win a game here or there.
Experience with/against pros: Bergeron, Ovechkin, Malkin, Olesz, Fritsche, Shafigulin, Suter, Meszaros, Smid. 50% of my forwards and 50% of my bluliners. Shwarz has some experience as well,
nothing glowing but I gotta go with what I have. My team can very, very much compete with a AHL team, IMO.
I'm not too sure about Belle, though. I think Coburn could fare much better. Forwards that didn't make it were numerous. Stafford, O'Sullivan, Vrana, etc. I might bump Stewart for Stafford.
