Modifié 10 août 2023 à 11 h 55
The Good:
This team will be young. Although building a team through drafting is a big risk, the payoff can be huge. Although I did previously state that we're entrusting many prospects in this team, these are all prospects that we can reasonably expect to pan out -- it's not a coin flip. Although this could create cap issues in the future, I'm too lazy to calculate the cap structure out, so I'm not too sure.
These lines are built very well, and each of these players pair well with eachother.
I'm more knowledgeable on the bottom-6 guys than the top-6, but I'll give my best description of them.
Starting with the top line, this line is an offensive line. Although Yzerman should target a physical playmaker for that hole, a playmaker is more important. Larkin himself is a very good 2-way center, meaning that this line won't be all offense, but with DeBrincat on your line, a goalscorer with meh defense, defense clearly won't be the priority. A lot of this, as stated ad nauseum, is contingent on that LW hole, and who that player is.
The 2nd line, I'm admittedly the least knowledgeable on. From what I know, though, Berggren is a very good pass-first, perimeter guy. I think he has a lot more potential than what has been shown, citing his previous statline in the SHL and AHL. Raymond, who plays more in the center, positions well with Berggren. These two played together in the WC and looked very good. Raymond, as a playstyle, I'm not too sure of. I've seen him do a lot of everything. However, these two guys are not playdrivers, which is where Danielson comes in. He was the heart and soul of the Wheat Kings offense, and drove most of their rushes. If Danielson had even just one good player with him on the Wheat Kings, he probably gets a lot more points than he did.
The 3rd line is by far my favorite line. All of these guys are two-way, physical forwards. Kasper himself is best described as a pissed off wasp. Wherever the puck goes, Kasper goes too. His forecheck is insane, and is good on the back check as well. He's a good skater, he can make plays, his shot is to be desired, but that is contrasted with Mazur, a shooting goalscorer who can, and will, throw around his body. Rasmussen, like his linemates, is a big physical presence. I do think there's a bit of overlap for a netfront presence, as both Kasper and Rasmussen both tend to play that role, but that's an issue that can be ironed out.
The fourth line, which is definitively the worst line here imo, will be a defense first, offense possibly line. Bultman left this the RW slot open, and suggested Lombardi or Soderblom, but I'd think Soderblom would do well. Plant him out front in the net, and let Copp and Compher hover above the circles.
The defense, although is projected to have 4 (current) prospects, is a chef's kiss. I do think that, given Edvinsson and Wallinder turn into quality defenseman, Wallinder should pair with Seider. This mainly comes down to spreading physicality, given Edvinsson and Seider can both be extremely physical guys. To add on, I believe Wallinder's offensive ceiling is higher than Edvinsson, and it just makes more sense to put the high offense with the high defense guy. This is contingent on who that 2RD is, though. If that guy is a physical, defensive RD, that isn't horrible (Chiarot), then the pairings are fine.
Johansson and Pellikka is an interesting take, but I like it. Johansson plays a very sound game that could help prevent mistakes that a high offense defenseman (Pellikka) is bound to make. Basically, Johansson gives Pellikka a very long leash to do whatever he wants without having to worry too much about defensive repurcussions.
As said, and what cannot be ignored, is that this team requires a LOT of prospects to pan out. Now, these are all prospects that look to be panning out, and these expectations aren't too far fetched, but we don't live in a perfect world. A lot of luck will be required for this team to succeed. Assuming fair expectations, this team will need a helluva player at that LW role to win the cup.
Au revoir, and hope you guys enjoy.