So, I tried to build a perfect team, and I think I did pretty well, using 4 ELC's and meeting the cap. Obviously some of my own biases will shine through, this is definitely not a perfect team, but it is pretty good IMO. To explain why I think this team has a shot, here's how it fits with the Athletics cup checklist:
1, elite 1C: Connor McDavid is a game breaker, both in the playoffs and the regular season. He's the best player in the world (he just is), and he's a textbook elite center. One of few current players I'd call generational.
2, elite winger to complement 1C: Who better to compliment McDavid than Draisaitl? People might say he's only good because he plays with McDavid, but that shouldn't be a problem if he's, yknow, playing with McDavid.
3, two other first line wingers in the top 6: Pastrnak, Stuzle, and Raymond are all first-line caliber wingers. Pastrnak is a proven quantity as an elite goal scorer. Stützle and Raymond were both excellent last year, both putting up over 20 goals and almost 60 points, barring a sophomore slump from Raymond, there's a good chance both will be 30-goal scorers next year. We also have Vrana, who could slot in if either regresses.
4, two additional top 6 wingers in the top 9: Speaking of Vrana, he's been highly underrated for a while. Putting up 21 goals in 37 games with the Wings, after being buried in Washington, never being given a real chance, on a team like this one he could be very good. He's also good defensively and could gel well with someone like Eriksson Ek, the second top 6 winger would be one of Stützle or Raymond.
5, top-line center in the 2C slot: This is the role I think Lindholm is perfectly suited for. He's absolutely 1C caliber, putting up 42 goals in the position with Calgary, and he's excellent defensively, which would be important on a line with two kids.
6, elite No. 1 defenseman: As a Rangers fan I can safely say that Makar is better than Fox. It feels a bit early to say this, but he's already an elite defenseman, and already a lock for the hall of fame, just like Hedman before him. I'm absolutely excited to see him, Fox, Hughes, and Seider dominate the league for the next decade.
7, No. 1 defenseman for the 2nd pair: While Makar is the future, Hedman is currently the best defenseman in the league. He won't be in a year or two, Makar will surpass him as Hedman ages, but right now there's no one better than Victor Hedman. A team with both of them would be almost unbeatable.
8, another top pair dman for the 2nd pair: Seider is already the No 1. dman in Detroit after his rookie season, and should just keep getting better.
9, A top-4 caliber dman for the 3rd pair: Adam Boqvist is a very underrated defenseman in this league.
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