Ken Armer and myself have worked together to try and make one team out of the many great players here in the Pacific Division.
Out of the five teams in the division, each one has players that are great now, and guys that everyone should watch out for in the near future as they reach for stardom in the NHL:
Forwards
Line One: Morrow (A) - Thornton (C) - Doan (A)
A tough line that will certainly wear the opposing defense down. These three big guys aren't afraid to get nasty and would certainly make a formidable line in the NHL. All three are leaders on their respective teams, and would lead this all-division team.
Line Two: Ribeiro - Getzlaf - Perry
Ken says, "The chemistry that Perry and Getzlaf have at a young age makes this line dangerous immediately. Ribeiro will certainly be able to keep up with these two young guns, while his playmaking abilities will certainly only make this line much more potent".
Line Three: Marleau - Jokinen - Kopitar
These three guys, like the first line, are big forwards who aren't afraid to get nasty. Marleau and Jokinen are veterans who would be able to help Kopitar to reach his potential as an elite forward in the NHL. Jokinen is new to the division, but he is belongs on this team.
Line Four: Carcillo - Avery - Ott
What is there to say about this line? This would be the most annoying line to play against in all of hockey. Sean Avery alone is a handful. Adding in Carcillo and Ott just sweetens the pot.
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Honorable Mention
Watch out for Dustin Brown and Peter Mueller, two young guys who have been turning it on lately. Brown, seemingly out of nowhere, has found his scoring touch on LA, while Mueller showed tremoendous goal-scoring skills in his first year. Look for these two to continue in their successful ways.
Defense
First pairing: Niedermayer - Pronger
These two have been great defensemen throughout their careers. Niedermayer is a player with good offensive abilities who knows how to defend against the best players in the game. Pronger can lay down the physicality, and his shot from the point is one of the best.
Second paring: Zubov - Morris
Zubov has been one of the best offensive defenseman in the league his whole career, but has been stuck in the shadow of Nick Lidstrom. He still has plenty of offensive touch and could run a power play blindfolded.
Derek Morris would be a great compliment to Sergei. He isn't afraid to get physical, and would be a great defensive partner for Zubov, even if he isn't flashy.
Third pairing: Boyle - Blake
Dan Boyle comes to the Sharks after making his mark as one of the best offensive defensemen in the Eastern Conference with Tampa Bay. His offensive abilities rank right up there with the best of the them.
Rob Blake is still a defensive stalwart on the back line, whose shot allows him to continue to lurk as an offensive threat from the point.
Honorable Mention
Matt Niskanen, Jack Johnson, Zbynek Michalek:
Matt Niskanen came into his rookie year with the Dallas Stars relatively unknown, but has certainly made his mark after showing his confidence with the puck in Dallas.
Jack Johnson's physical play will certainly soon him someone to reckoned with in the Western Conference. He is a big piece to the future of the LA blue line.
Zbynek Michalek showed he can play offense in his rookie year in Phoenix, then spent last year covering for defensive mistakes made by Ed Jovanovski (the reason he isn't on here), and lost some offensive time.
Goalies
Evgeni Nabokov
Marty Turco
Right now these are the top two goaltenders in the Pacific. Nabokov had an unbelievable year last season, while Marty Turco brought his team to the Western Conference Finals.
Honorable Mention
Ilya Bryzgalov gave the Coyotes new life after he was picked up off waivers from the Ducks. This upcoming year will be his first full season as a starter. He has been looking to snag a starting job in the NHL, and this is his big chance.
Some names were omitted, but we feel that this would be the best team that could be made out of the Pacific Division. It is tough to narrow it down with so many great players. Who would you have added? Taken away?
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3 months ago
Pretty good, but y'all shoulda consulted me. I'm not sure why some of the players chose are clearly not that team's second or third best--were you looking to do a poper fourth line when you selected Ott? 'Cause Dallas has a lot better forwards to pick--where's Richards? I'd put him out over Marleau--I mean, I have been decidedly low on Patty since before last year's debacle, but still...
from 3 months ago
idk about putting him over Marleau, but Richards definitely should be there. Btw is kinda obvious he was trying to do a checking line by picking Avery...
3 months ago
Until Richards plays a full 82 games with Dallas, it doesnt quite feel like hes a Star yet, stupid i know..but its just me. Your right though, i would certainly take Richards over Perry. Ott just gets a nod for being a huge pest, plus in big D he is a major fan favorite.
3 months ago
i agree with you, ken, but altogether, this list is pretty good
3 months ago
I think Richards should be on the team, too...and I also think one guy who wasn't mentioned who will be on this team very, very soon is the Coyotes' Kyle Turris. Good article, Chris. Would certainly be a tough team to play against.
3 months ago
Nice article, only i'd put frolov on that third line insteada marleau.
3 months ago
No love for Richards?
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