Team: 2021-22 Custom Team

Initial Creation Date: Sep. 3, 2021

Published: Sep. 3, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Here is how I picked the players

Forwards:

There are 9 Locks imo
-Mcdavid
-Mackinnon
-Crosby
-Marchand
-Bergeron
-Point
-Marner
-Huberdeau
-Stone

That leaves 3 roster spots and the reserve spot for 4 of
-Stamkos
-O'Rielly
-Barzal
-Gallagher
-Scheifele
-Tavares
-Giroux
-Couturier
-Seguin
-Toews

I ruled out Toews and Seguin as we dont know what to expect from them. Specifically Toews, if he lights it up to start the season he will be a lock for the team, but lets not get ahead of ourselves.

Of the 7 bubble players I looked at what the team is missing from its "locks".. Positionally, they are very strong at C and on RW. Therefore an advantage goes to LW guys on the bubble. Additionally, a premium is put on C in the roster as they often can transfer to the wing easily. I think there is enormous value of having a guy to take faceoffs on each side of the ice, so C with opposite handidness is a high priority when considering lines and bubble players.

At the end of the day, there is no "true" LW close enough to take on this team from the bubble. I took O'Rielly for his defensive/faceoff abilities. I then took Tavares as he is a LH shot who can play LW. The last spot went to Stamkos as he has been on the team before and provides an skill that the team isnt as strong with (perimeter shooting). The reserve spot goes to Barzal as he is young and can likely slot in to any line on the team.

Side note, I would say if Toews starts the year strong next year and ends up making the team then O'Rielly likely moves to 13th F and Barzal is out.

The lines kinda sorted themselves out with the expected top 6 followed by two pairs of teamates in the bottom 6..

Defense

I figure there are 4 locks on D
-Makar
-Theodore
-Hamilton
-Pietrangelo

That leaves 2 spots and the reserve spot for 3 of
-Pelech
-Ekblad
-Spurgeon
-Ellis
-Chychrun
-Rielly
-Chabot
-Muzzin
-Pulock
-Nurse

Lots of bubble players, but a key thing here is that 3 of the 4 locks are RH shots. Also, Makar and Hamilton are very offensive minded, and with the forwards we have a premium should be put on PK ability and defensive mindedness.

I ended up picking Pelech and Muzzin for this team as they are both defensive shut down PK guys with LH shots. Muzzin may be a surprise for a lot of people, but remember that he was part of the 2016 world cup team so he has been here before.

Chabot gets the reserve spot due to his well rounded game.

Finally goalies are up in the air all of a sudden with Prices injury status unknown and Fleury being moved to CHI.

I have given them both the benefit of the doubt that they will return to normal, and therefore they are the two goalies on the roster. However, if either is playing poorly or is injured leading up to the olympics, you ALWAYS have to ride the hot goalie in this tournament.

Here are the goalies I have on the bubble
-Kuemper
-Blackwood
-Binnington

I think with Kuemper being in COL this year he is ready for a huge season. He could easily make this team over Price or Fleury on merit alone, but especially if one or both are out he is more than suitable to play for Canada.

For PP and PK I wanted every player to be involved in some way. This makes sure that no single player is being over-used and ends up being tired too early in the tournament. I think a balanced use is very important.