Team: 2020-21 Custom Team

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 5, 2021

Published: Apr. 5, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Here is how I filled out the team.
Forwards - I start with Mcdavid, Crosby, Mackinnon and figure out how I want to use them. I think Crosby & Mac will play together due to the Nova Scotia connection so I then added Marchand in there as he also trains with them.

For Mcdavid I needed to find guys who can keep up with him and also a guy who can score off of his setups (ala. Draisaitl). Marner can keep up with him and Point can finish with the best of them.

The top two lines also each have two natural centremen who shoot opposite to eachother so faceoffs will always be in their favour.

I then looked at who will match up against the other teams top lines and took the 4 PK guys of Couturier, O'Reilly, Bergeron and Stone. All top faceoff guys other than Stone obviously, but also all lefties other than Bergeron so Bergy is an important piece here for the PK. I take Scheifele to balance out the shots L vs R. leaving only one spot left...

Stamkos is the guy I take, but this is the only spot thats really up for contention here. Alternatively Barzal could swap in for Point and Point plays down the lineup, but then we have a lot of speedy playmakers so I think its better to have a little of everything.

Huberdeau is the 13th but again, Barzal among others could also fit here.

On defense, I think it is a bit more cut and dry.
top 3 of Hamilton, Theodore, Pietrangelo is a lock

I then look again at defensive play and PK and Ekblad and Nurse are big guys who play tough defensive games while being good puck movers and skaters.

The last spot is mainly a 2nd Pairing PP spot, preferably a RHD. Makar is a popular choice here, but as a RHD he would have to displace one of Pietrangelo or Hamilton, which he just hasnt shown he can do yet. Ekblad plays the PK which Makar doesnt do so we look at Rielly as the final defensman.

The 7D spot also doesnt go to Makar as he may have to jump in to any role. A guy like Ryan Ellis is perfect for this role. Plays both PP and PK in Nashville and is good at both ends.

Goalie will be the controversy, but the consensus is that Price is out. Fleury looks elite still and has the experience to start, and then I went with Hart and Binnington to fight for the backup. Both have been rough this year but will likely have no issue on a team like this. An important factor in chosing a goalie is that they have to be able to go a while without being tested. Because of this I wont be surprised if Price makes this team as the backup..

Obviously people will disagree with this roster. The main one being Makar being left off, but I feel that my reasoning is sound, so feel free to comment why you disagree.