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What if…: You Could Create Your Own Hockey Dream Team?
Sports talk in general is based largely on “What if” questions, or statements/beliefs that operate on that level in some regard. Nowhere is this truer than when we talk about the greats of the game and try to come to definitive decisions about who is or was better or even the best. Inevitable in these discussions is the everlasting, albeit accurate, assumption that one can never really compare the performance of players from different generations as the style of play is different to such a degree that the context does not allow one to compare. Apples and oranges as it were.
While I enjoy the debates that surround these conversations I have resigned myself to the fact that there is no way to definitively end them as there is no true answer in most cases. Even when comparing players from a single era one needs to consider numerous extenuating circumstances that likely place one’s performance over or under another’s (i.e., division/conference they play in, team surrounding them, coaching style, playmaker vs sniper, etc…) making firm conclusions short of being conclusive but rather subjective to the context.
As this is the case I have turned to a different exercise over the years: building fantasy teams. I’m not talking in the sense of fantasy sports here, but rather putting together a 2 or 3 line team of players from all generations of the game that you would give anything to watch play. This makes comparisons irrelevant in the sense that all you’re doing is going based purely on what sports are supposed to be as a fan: entertainment. I think this is key as for lots of people the most entertaining team will not necessarily be the team with the most talent, but the team that provides the individual with the most features that they value in a player, and to put such a collection of bodies together without having constraints such as generation, cash or viability.
For examples sake, here’s a visit to the dream team of yours truly (Yes, I have taken liberties with the positions of some players. Sue me…):
LW: Gordie Howe Center: Mark Messier RW: Alex Ovechkin
LW: Wendel Clark Center: Jarome Iginla RW: Maurice Richard
LW: Theo Fleury Center: Doug Gilmour RW: Cam Neely
LW: Gary Roberts Center: Trevor Linden RW: Dino Ciccarelli
D1: Scott Stevens D2: Al MacInnis
D3: Zdeno Chara D4: Bobby Orr
D5: Jyrki Lumme D6: Don Cherry
Goalie 1: Ron Hextall Goalie 2: Vladislav Tretiak
What can you tell about my player preferences from looking at this list? As far as forwards go, I like the players who can do it all: score, make plays , get into the rough stuff if needed and lead by voice and/or example. Linden may be the furthest of the group from meeting all of this, but hey, I enjoyed watching the guy play so he’s there! As far as D goes, intimidation, be it physical (Stevens, Chara), heavy shots (MacInnis), speed/talent (Orr) or vocal (Cherry)! Lumme? I just always like Lumme so he made it! Goal? A solid tandem of rugged versus technical talent that are different enough (No Kidding!) in their styles that it will keep teams guessing from game to game.
Would these guys entertain me? Uh, YEAH! Think anyone is going to crowd in on Howe, Messier or Ovie? Especially the latter with Mr. Hockey and The Moose on his line? Iginla setting up Clark for the one-timer and Richard crashing the net to bury the rebound? Yes please! Dougie and Cam clearing the lanes for a speeding Theo? I can see it. Ciccarelli getting cross checked and slashed half to death while holding fort right in front of the opposition goalie to give Linden and Roberts the chance to set up a nice screen shot from the half boards? Lovin’ it! The D? Teams wouldn’t know whether they’re about to be run over, be hit with a bone shattering slapshot, or be completely undressed by a guy flying in off the blueline. Goal? You’ve got an enforcer and 3rd defenseman in Hextall and a high skilled Hasek’esque nerves of steel puck stopper to deal with in Tretiak. Bring it on!
So my question to you folk is simple enough:
“What if…?” #14: You Could Create Your Own Hockey Dream Team?”
As usual, go crazy with it! Can’t wait to see what people come up with…
Cheers!
Shawn Gates
[email protected]
Twitter: ShawnHockeybuzz
Facebook: Shawn Gates
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Remember to visit us at
www.hockeyden.net and get details on how YOU could be our winner of a 2010 SIDNEY CROSBY TEAM CANADA OLYMPICS JERSEY!!! Contest runs from now until February 14, 2010, so enter now and often!!! Capture The Passion with HockeyDen.net!!
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Previous “WHAT IF…?” Articles
#1 What If The NHL Contracted To 24 Teams?
#2 What If Quebec Traded Lindros To The Rangers Instead Of The Flyers?
#3 What If Calgary Drafted Martin Brodeur Instead Of Trevor Kidd?
#3a What If Calgary Drafted Martin Brodeur Instead Of Trevor Kidd?: A RESPONSE
#4 What If The WHA Never Existed?
#5 What If The Position Of Rover Had Not Been Eliminated?
#6 What If Pittsburgh Had Not Been Awarded A Team In 1967?
#7 What If Steve Smith Had Not Scored In His Own Net In Game 7?
#8 What If The NHL Had a Cross-Conference Playoff Structure?
#9 What If The NHL Asked For Fan Ideas For Improving The Game??
#10 What If Henderson Had Missed The Net In Game 8?
#11 What If You Could Sneak Into A Stanley Cup Celebration?
#12 What If The NHL Returned To Quebec City?
Previous “Who Knew?” Articles
#1: Gordie Howe
#2: The Zamboni
#3: Maurice “The Rocket” Richard
#4: Ron Hextall
#5: Stanley Cup Abuse, Neglect and Versatility
Here Comes The Pain 09-10 Tournament
Series #2: Quarterfinals
Series #1: Finals
Series #1: Semifinals
Series #1: Quarterfinals
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