The NHL has implemented a new division-based All-Star Game format and re-ignited the World Cup of Hockey to showcase the world's best players in recent years. But what if the league tried something new?
Here, we're going to try a fresh spin, eliminating international and team allegiances to focus on one thing: age. In this hypothetical, the world's best players have been divided into four groups.
The teams involved are: The entry-level contracts, players 25 and under, players aged 26-29, and finally, players 30-plus years old. While examples like Connor McDavid could fit in the ELC age bracket, all players were designated based on their contract statuses heading into the 2018-19 season, which bumps the Edmonton Oilers captain up a tier due to his mega extension kicking in.
Injuries weren't factored into this exercise, and neither was the pesky salary cap.
Let's get started.
ELCs
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| B. Boeser | A. Matthews | M. Marner |
| K. Connor | M. Barzal | P. Laine |
| S. Aho | C. Keller | M. Rantanen |
| M. Tkachuk | N. Hischier | T. Konecny |
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| I. Provorov | Z. Werenski |
| M. Sergachev | C. McAvoy |
| T. Dermott | R. Dahlin |
Goalies: Thatcher Demko, Carter Hart
Combined Cap Hit: $17.98M
Missed the cut: Jake DeBrusk, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Will Butcher
The ELCs have a strong forward group, spearheaded by two elite finishers in Auston Matthews and Brock Boeser. Kyle Connor and Patrick Laine have some familiarity on line two, while the bottom six features plenty of speed and skill.
On the blue line, the ELCs have an inexperienced but promising core of defenders. However, Charlie McAvoy has the only right-handed shot of the bunch, which could lead to some problems. In goal, the ELCs will need one of the two top-tier prospects to play out of their minds to have any real chance of competing.
25 and Under
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| N. MacKinnon | C. McDavid | N. Kucherov |
| F. Forsberg | M. Schefiele | D. Pastrnak |
| J. Huberdeau | A. Barkov | L. Draisaitl |
| S. Monahan | S. Couturier | J. Gaudreau |
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| S. Jones | D. Hamilton |
| M. Rielly | J. Trouba |
| S. Gostisbehere | C. Parayko |
Goalies: Andrei Vasilevskiy, John Gibson
Combined Cap Hit: $117.5M
Missed the cut: Vincent Trocheck, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor Hellebuyck
The 25-and-under team has some serious firepower up front, as the top line alone combined for 305 points in 2017-18. Down the lineup, a strong group of centers surrounded by highly talented wingers makes this squad dangerous no matter who's on the ice. Both Nathan MacKinnon and Sean Monahan were shifted to the wing from their natural center position. Based on this team's supporting cast, that should have a minimal impact on their production.
On defense, the 25-and-under team has a remarkable blend of size, mobility, and puck-moving skills. All six defensemen are capable of logging big minutes, and they can contribute at either end of the ice, making life easier for a pair of all-star netminders.
26 to 29
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| T. Hall | S. Stamkos | P. Kane |
| A. Panarin | E. Kuznetsov | V. Tarasenko |
| M. Stone | J. Tavares | J. Benn |
| J. van Riemsdyk | T. Seguin | J. Voracek |
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| V. Hedman | E. Karlsson |
| O. Ekman-Larsson | D. Doughty |
| R. Josi | P.K. Suban |
Goalies: Sergei Bobrovsky, Braden Holtby
Combined Cap Hit: $142.6M
Missed the cut: Matt Duchene, Alex Pietrangelo, Wayne Simmonds
There are superstars up and down the lineup here.
On the first line, there are a pair of MVPs centered by a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner. Next, a powerhouse Russian trio that wreaked havoc on the opposition as teammates at the 2011 world juniors, followed by a bottom six consisting of players cemented in high-minute roles on their NHL clubs.
If the forward corps isn't imposing enough, just take a look at the blue line. Is it even possible to assemble a better group of six defenders?
To top it off, Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, anchors the crease, barely sneaking under the team's cutline while set to turn 30 in September.
30-plus-year-olds
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| B. Marchand | S. Crosby | P. Bergeron |
| A. Ovechkin | N. Backstrom | B. Wheeler |
| C. Giroux | E. Malkin | P. Kessel |
| J. Neal | A. Kopitar | R. Getzlaf |
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| D. Keith | M Giordano |
| M. Vlasic | B. Burns |
| Z. Chara | S. Weber |
Goalies: Carey Price, Pekka Rinne
Combined Cap Hit: $150.9M
Missed the cut: Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Toews, Joe Thornton
Here are the wily vets.
The eldest team of the group is filled with champions and future Hall of Famers. Taking them down would be a tall task for any squad. Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron displayed magic chemistry at the World Cup in 2016, with the three finishing atop the tournament's scoring leaderboard.
Behind them, the roster features six players in the top 11 of last season's scoring race, and the team benefits from some familiarity between its Capitals and Penguins superstars.
If there's a weakness for this group, it's a lack of mobility on the blue line. But you can count on that unit to understand positioning and make the right play more often than not.
(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)
(Salary cap info courtesy: CapFriendly)
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