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Franchise Players: Forwards, Defencemen & Goalies


Scott92

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If you had to start a franchise from scratch, and were to pick one current forward, defenceman and goalie in the NHL, who would you choose?

Explain why you would choose these three particular players, and what they each bring to the table.

Discuss in detail.

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My Answers:

Forward

Well, for me it would be Sidney Crosby. As much as I dislike him due to the fact that he over exaggerates things, there is no doubt that he's a great hockey player.

Crosby has the ability to make everyone around him play better. When he came into the league he was just 18 years of age and by his third season, he led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals. He's scored over 100 points in his first two seasons, and tallied a remarkable 72 points in 53 games last season.

Not only can he score 35+ goals a season, he sets up his wingers with ease. He creates advantages and scenarios for his line-mates and will be doing so for years to come.

Crosby is a fantastic player, but he could tone down the on-ice emotions.

Defenceman

If I could choose one defenseman to focus a defensive unit around, it would be Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf is a tough, powerful defenseman who can also find the back of the net.

In his first three season in the National Hockey League he has made a name for himself on the blue-line. He's aggresive and has scored 159 points in his first three years.

He's a leader of the Flames' defencive core and is another young player that will be around for at least another 15 years.

Goalie

Ahh, arguably the most important position in hockey. If you don't have a solid goalie, you won't make it far in the playoffs.

For a franchise goalie, it has to be Carey Price. I mean this kid is only 21 and has accomplished so much. In his first season in the American Hockey League, he led the Hamilton Bulldogs to winning the Calder Cup.

He's been amazing for the Habs in his first season, and helped them get into the second round of the playoffs last season. He's got high expectations, but is a confident goalie who gets the job done.

I think this will be another breakthrough season for him, and he'll lead the Habs deep into the playoffs! Carey Price is another player who will be around for at least another 15 years. He's a great goaltender and is my top choice for a franchise guy between the pipes!

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Building for the future, I would definitely pick Crosby & Price. Im not 100% sold on Phaneuf. Its not that he's not an amazing talent, its just that I think building a team around 3 franchise players may be impossible in today's NHL. Assuming all 3 make league maximum (or close to it) thats $27 - 30m wrapped up in 3 guys. Ouch, doesnt leave a lot for your team.

Id almost prefer something like what we have - i.e. markov/komisarek - who, combined should be only just slightly higher than Phaneuf per year.

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Building for the future, I would definitely pick Crosby & Price. Im not 100% sold on Phaneuf. Its not that he's not an amazing talent, its just that I think building a team around 3 franchise players may be impossible in today's NHL. Assuming all 3 make league maximum (or close to it) thats $27 - 30m wrapped up in 3 guys. Ouch, doesnt leave a lot for your team.

I know what you mean about Phaneuf. He's good, but I just feel like he's not a 'franchise' player. I don't know that there are any young defensemen who have stepped into that role yet While the top forwards in the game has been dominated by young guys lately and goaltenders have been a big mixture, the top dmen have all been older players (Lidstrom, Niedermayer, and Pronger).

And I don't think the point here is actually being able to sign those 3 players, but just who do you think the best 'franchise' player in each position is.

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I know what you mean about Phaneuf. He's good, but I just feel like he's not a 'franchise' player. I don't know that there are any young defensemen who have stepped into that role yet While the top forwards in the game has been dominated by young guys lately and goaltenders have been a big mixture, the top dmen have all been older players (Lidstrom, Niedermayer, and Pronger).

And I don't think the point here is actually being able to sign those 3 players, but just who do you think the best 'franchise' player in each position is.

And thats fair enough. Amongst young defensmen, Phaneuf is probably tops (and heck, if you HAD a guy like Phaneuf but felt that 3 franchise players would kill your budget, its still better to start off with those 3 and TRADE one) I guess I get the same feeling as you. When you look at the superstar defensmen of the past -I just dont see phaneuf in that category - and maybe the operative word is "yet"

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Building for the future, I would definitely pick Crosby & Price. Im not 100% sold on Phaneuf. Its not that he's not an amazing talent, its just that I think building a team around 3 franchise players may be impossible in today's NHL. Assuming all 3 make league maximum (or close to it) thats $27 - 30m wrapped up in 3 guys. Ouch, doesnt leave a lot for your team.

Id almost prefer something like what we have - i.e. markov/komisarek - who, combined should be only just slightly higher than Phaneuf per year.

I should have mentioned that this would be the perfect world, with the perfect situations. Meaning, no salary cap! Ahah.

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Malkin - The only reason he isn't more talked about is because Ovechkin and Crosby get so much hype. Someone once said the only problem with Stevie Y's game was his name wasn't Lemieux or Gretzky. Malkin has the same issue.

Jack Johnson - we won't get to see much of him this season due to injury but he's going to be huge for LA.

Fleury - great talent and is finally putting it together at the NHL level.

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Malkin - The only reason he isn't more talked about is because Ovechkin and Crosby get so much hype. Someone once said the only problem with Stevie Y's game was his name wasn't Lemieux or Gretzky. Malkin has the same issue.

Jack Johnson - we won't get to see much of him this season due to injury but he's going to be huge for LA.

Fleury - great talent and is finally putting it together at the NHL level.

Nice choices, I like JJ he's a great Dman, can't wait to see him play when he's healthy.

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Malkin - The only reason he isn't more talked about is because Ovechkin and Crosby get so much hype. Someone once said the only problem with Stevie Y's game was his name wasn't Lemieux or Gretzky. Malkin has the same issue.

Except in Yzerman's case, he was a good step down from Gretzky and Lemieux. Malkin may in fact be just as good as Crosby and Ovechkin (time will tell). But he probably won't be talked about in the same way for a few reason:

- he's European, unlike Crosby

- he doesn't have the appeal of Ovechkin (he's not quite as good of a goalscorer, doesn't do the crazy crap with his stick, isn't as good in interviews and all that, etc.)

- he came to the league later and on a team where he is forced to be the #2 center, so has been stuck in Crosby's shadow.

The truth is it doesn't really matter how he does on the ice, he will be stuck behind Crosby for business reasons.

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I'm gonna try to put down different players

Sam Gagne: Fast, skilled, good vision for his age. A player I would love to have on my team anytime.

Luke Schenn: Skilled, defensesivly responsible and I person I can see that will trusted to play against other top lines.

Henrik Lundquist: Experienced but still young, quick with his pads and I can see him winning Vezna one day

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