The problem in most lists i see with AO.
For me at least 3 more forwards (wingers) are more valuable then AO (3 more from ATAS2000 list), especially what has he showed in all international games. The only good tournament i remember from him is from 2008, where he had already established chemistry with Fedorov and Semin otherwise he was very average at best.
Those 3 wingers are Radulov, Gusev and Dadonov. Gurianov i dont know/see much, maybe even him.
I see this pattern in thinking. Throw 3 big names and magic will happen. Like make line AO-Malkin-Kucherov. I think AO was tried with Malkin and it just didnt work.
Wingers i mentioned already showed great chemistry in some line combinations and are high iq players.
AO could be brought like PP specialist and maybe tried in line with 2 workers that will hustle for him, are defensively responsible and can contribute on offense. I always wanted to tried him with Andronov and Telegin type of players.
Can someone show me one tournament after 2008 when AO was contributing in meaningful way?