2 players from each non-playoff team
no ELCs
under cap
at least one player from each team in the starting lineup
credit to NHLfan10506
I typically set out to be correct on these things - and I always am.
"But how can you play *checks notes* 'Rudolfs Balcers' over my teams (high scoring, defensively liable and fed top minutes) top left wing?"
Well, simple, because Balcers is neither of those things. By any indication he would do amazingly well with more ice-time and opportunity. I have every starting forward down as elite, with Hintz and Garland the closest ones not to be.
Clark Bishop (?) is a guy with amazing underlying numbers, but the sample size is low and I'd need to see more to comfortably put him in the lineup. The Bench is ordered in net positive impact, just like the forwards.
With more money, the best add would probably be Pavelski. With ELC's, Adam Fox would by far be this teams best defenseman. With a third add from the same team, Labanc would be next in line for his amazing offensive capability.
Every player in this lineup is a net positive for their team. It's even crazier when you realize a lot of them are paid under 1m, or in the 2-4m range. This team would demolish Colorado or any other imaginable team. Thanks for coming to my Ted-talk!