Team: 2019-20 Custom Team

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 4, 2020

Published: Jul. 4, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Line 1: instead of using Mack as a 2C, he has experience playing on the right wing, an I think he would fit perfectly with McDavid. They would both be able to rip the ice with speed. Mackinnon is about average defensively, but the McDavid is really bad, and Huberdeau is not so good either. This is likely the most dynamic offensive line in the tournament though.

Line 2: They could use this line in all situations. You would not have to worry about them in the defensive end with all of them being above average and Stone being elite defensively. Stammer still has that elite finishing ability, while Point and Stone are elite play drivers.

Line 3: You can call this a shutdown line but it is no ordinary shutdown line. All three of these guys have cases to be labeled the best two-way forwards in the league, but all of them are great offensively as well. Whether it is Cirelli in controlling the front of the net, Couturiers lethal shot, O'Reillys instincts, this line is more than capable of putting on an absolute clinic in the other teams zone.

Line 4: Crosby has always loved playing with speedy wingers who can retrieve pucks and start a cycle in the offensive end. Which is exactly why Gallagher is on this line because he is one of the best forecheckers in the league and he provides a lot of chaos in front of the net for a player like Brad Marchand to take advantage of with his lethal shot.

Just misses: Mark Scheifele, There is no doubt in that if he can get his defensive game back under control, then he should be on the roster and perhaps a fit on the McDavid line. He is one of the best players in the league with down low puck possession, and has the skating ability and finishing talent to make him a VERY good offensive player. His atrocious defensive play was enough for me to leave him off the starting 12. He has the time from now until 2022 to change that.

Mat Barzal: Everyone who watches knows just how dynamic Barzal can be on the ice. The main spot I would see him fitting in is on line 1 with McDavid. He can put on an absolute clinic of puck ragging in the offensive end, but I don't think that compliments McDavid's style at all.

Marner: Was probably the closest of all three to put him in right now. If he played like he did in 2018-19 going forward, then he would replace Gallagher in the lineup for sure.

D pairs:
Line 1: Chabot is a wicked puck mover and extremely reliable in breakouts. He is very strong in the offensive zone but could improve his defensive play. That is why I paired Hamilton with him who might just be Canada's best overall defenceman at the moment. He is one of the best offensive dmen in the league and his defensive game is very underrated.

Pair 2: Morgan Rielly is a similar player to Thomas Chabot, with the main difference being that he is even worse defensively. However, there are not many better offensive dmen then him. It made perfect sense to pair the best defensive dmen on the team alongside him in Jared Spurgeon. he is also very good offensively and can hold his own there. Think of him as the Vlasic of this team.

Pair 3: A lot of people probably don't know who Devon Toews is yet. You probably should though as he is the exact definition of a two way defenceman, with his offensive ability being just as good as his defensive abilities. He is an excellent skater and great in transition, which connects perfectly to his partner. By the time 2022 roles around, I wouldn't doubt that Cale Makar is higher in the lineup. He is an elite skater, shooter, and stick handler, to the level of an elite forward playing defence. For his first season, he was at least around average, which says something for a player with his abilities. I have no doubt that his two-way play will just continue to get better and better.

Just misses:
For this team, I wanted to keep the traditional lefty and righty pairings. If Pietrangelo was left handed, then he would no doubt be on the roster. He is elite offensively and above average defensively.

Similar to Pietrangelo, Ryan Ellis also would have made the roster if he was a left handed defenceman. He is well above average both offensively and defensively, and would be a great fit for someone like Makar or make a unstoppable defensive pairing with Spurgeon.

Goalies: Goalies are always a crapshoot and lots can change with goalies coming up to the 2022 olympics. I picked Jordan Binnington because he really hasn't fallen off yet from his stellar performance a year ago. Carter Hart also looks like he is on a serious upswing.