My Hockey Dream Team

BY: Cristina Hauerstein

Every couple months we see different people create their top-50 players list or the dream team on social media, especially twitter and instagram, so it's not only fun to see what people think, but the controversy it creates in the comment section is also entertaining, seeing what other people think. So, I'm here to not only present my own dream team (current players only) but to also stir the pot.

I'll be using the 12 F 6 D and 2 G (one backup) format as if it be a game day roster and there will be some honorable mentions at the end. The lines won't be in any specific order, as this is THE team to have, every line will be good.

line 1: Rantanen - McDavid - Point

defense pair:

Mcdavid's scoring skills, Point's speed and agility and Makar being a balance of both, they create a powerful scoring line. Pointing out that Point is having a quiet 86 point (47 G 39 A) season so far in 75 games. One of his best seasons recently. Mcdavid has 143 points this season in 75 games (60 G 83 A), which is out of this world - he'd be able to reach 150 at this rate.

line 2: Mackinnon - Stamkos - J. Hughes

This line might definitely controversial, but i love it. Mackinnon was a close second to being line one, but he's a perfect fit with stamkos and someone like Hughes. I believe these three times (col - tbl - njd) have similar playing styles with a few differences, but they blend well. Jack Hughes is having a great season despite being injured for a couple of games.

line 3: Marner - Matthews - Thompson

Another line that i would think would be high scoring, especially with Matthews' current season, and Thompson's insane work on the powerplay, not to mention the rest of his play. Marner is a great duo for Matthews, we see this during games.

line 4: Kaprizov - Kucherov - Zibanejad

I feel like this line doesn't need much explanation, another high scoring line. Kaprizov is having a dominating year in Minnesota, Kucherov has an insane amount of asssists, creating good plays, and Zibanejad is just a really good player. All these guys would create a good consistency and dynamic.

D-paring 1: Karlsson - Makar

Feels like a no brainer, two insane defenseman, Makar is luckily in one of the better teams, the Colorado Avalanche the defending cup champions while Karlsson is on the San Jose Sharks.

D-paring 2: Hamilton - Hedman

Another obvious one to me, Hamilton has carried the defense in New Jersey as well and Hedman carries it in Tampa. Both powerful players who are also aren't afraid to block shots as well as to put in some in the net.

D-paring 3: McAvoy - Josi

This one is more of an odd pair though, individually I think they are very good when they play with their respect teams. mcAvoy is a key component on the Bruins and Josi is Nashville's best defensman by a long shot.

Goalie paring: Starter: Vasilevskiy Backup: Andersen

This was the hardest to pick yet as we are in a generation that we have great goalies and picking two feels like I'm being very exlusive. But these are my picks and I think they've been the strong goalies, especially Vasilesvksiy during the playoffs, they definitely create a good goalie tandem.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Sergachev, Shesterkin, Ullmark, Vanecek, McDonagh, Hischier, Zegras, Robertson. Crobsy, Ovechkin, Larkin, Svechnikov, PK, Hagel, Saros...