The next series of blogs are going to focus on players and their nationalities. I am going to select the best starting six for many of the world’s top hockey playing countries. The only parameters I have are to select three forwards, two defensemen, and a goalie. I don’t care about moving centers to wing or a defenseman on their off side. These players are elite and they’ll figure it out. Each day I am going to offer up a new country until I run out of countries that can provide a quality starting six. I don’t care about their previous histories playing for their country. I don’t care about “waiting their turn” to make the team. I’m picking the six players I want on the ice to maximize success.
So far I have picked Canada's best starting six. You can find that
here
Team USA can be found
here
Team Sweden can be found
here
Team Finland can be found
here
Team Russia can be found
here
Czech Republic can be found
here
Today’s team is Switzerland. I thought the Czech Republic was going to be the last solo team I was going to do, but after taking another glance I felt like Switzerland deserved their own entry. They have a number of good forwards to choose from and at least one really good defenseman. Here’s how they stack up
Center – Nico Hischier
He’s still growing into the player he is going to be in the NHL. He only has three years under his belt after being the #1 pick in the NHL draft. His boxcar stats don’t jump off the page like other #1 overall picks, but he is a decent player presently and will continue to get better in the coming years. He isn’t going to hurt you.
Left Wing – Kevin Fiala
In his first full season with Minnesota Fiala had a quietly strong season. He put up 34 points at 5v5 which is nothing to sneeze at. He led all Swiss forwards in NHL scoring last year with 54 points in 64 games. Really good production. He’s only 23 and should be able to stay in this range the next few seasons. Fiala wasn’t on my radar originally, but you can’t ignore what he did in 2019-20 and he very much deserves this spot.
Right wing – Timo Meier
He’s a solid player. Decent enough offensive numbers and his underlying possession metrics are strong. In his four years with the Sharks his CF% is 54.3 for a +3.3% relative to his teammates. The Sharks may not have been strong this year, but prior to 2019-20 they were and Meier was a positive in each individual season. Combine this with his 2.25 points per 60 at 5v5 and you have a really nice player who should fit in nicely with the other two on his line.
Truth be told the first player I thought about for Switzerland was Nino Niederreiter. I didn’t think I’d be leaving him off the squad, but here we are. His 1.15 points per 60 wasn’t good enough this year. I need a lot more than that. It was a career low for him. It is what it is.
Right defense – Roman Josi
He’s been one of the best offensive defenseman the past few seasons. He has 65 points in 69 games this year. His name is in the Norris Trophy conversation. He’s a huge reason why I decided to include the Swiss and give them their own day. He is going to help these forwards out tremendously. He would probably find his way on a number of the teams I’ve already selected. Switzerland’s best player.
Left defense – Jonas Siegenthaler
Where is Mark Streit when you need him? Unfortunately he hasn’t played any meaningful games since 2017-18 and even then it was only for two with Montreal. Honestly, I’d think about giving him a month and a half to prepare and I might go with him. Fortunately, with Roman Josi the partner doesn’t have to be really good and they aren’t going to be. The choices were basically Siegenthaler and Luca Sbisa, yikes.
Mirco Mueller and Yannick Weber were other considerations.
A big nope there.
The reality is the Swiss don’t have many good defensemen after Roman Josi. The issues don’t end here, though.
Goaltender – Jonas Hiller
Hiller hasn’t played in the NHL since 2015-16. He’s still playing hockey in Europe for EHC-Biel so he’s active. Gilles Senn played two games for the New Jersey Devils this year and is the only Swiss goaltender to have NHL action in 2019-20. His numbers before reaching the NHL are not very good. In fact, he played in the same league Hiller is currently playing in. Before Senn left for the AHL his last three years in the NLA he went 0.911, .905, and .901. Hiller’s last four years in the NLA are 0.916, 0.926, 0.912, and 0.918.
Welcome back to the spotlight, Jonas
Check your (Swiss) watch tomorrow so you don’t miss the last entry in this series.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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