Which player would you start "your" team around?

Question

Explain your reasoning

Answer 1

As much as I may personally have no interest in him, Sidney Crosby....

He was VITAL in transforming Pittsburgh from a city that almost lost their team completely, into a Stanley Cup finalist in a matter of 2 years. He puts butts in the seats and thats all that matters. He's a heck of a player, and "the chosen one" by the NHL.

Ovie's great, he's had a similar (to a lesser extent) effect in Washington, but Crosby's got more revenue potential (ad's etc.)

Answer 2

crosby

or

malkin

xoxo

Answer 3

on the flyers in the begining of last season they tried to build around simon gagne then he got hurt and they built it around mike richards

Answer 4

Datsyuk,great all around player

Answer 5

Nicklas Lidstrom... because your team will never miss the playoffs with him on the team.

Answer 6

Vesa Toskala just like toronto is doing now

Answer 7

All-Time:  Stevie Y.  It was a toss up between Stevie and Lemieux and Stevie was a Red Wing so yea... both great leaders, tough and were great on both ends of the ice.

Current:  Nicklas Lidstrom.  You can never appreciate him enough.  A great leader.  A great defenseman... the best in the NHL.  Can't go wrong with him.

Answer 8

Steve Yzerman cuz hes a good leader and a team already did tht and look how it turned out the wings are the best team in the league maybe even the world!!!

Answer 9

Alexander Ovechkin, he's a spectacular player, he is really young, and has a wonderful attitude. I don't see anyone being a better option.

Answer 10

joe thorton bcuz he will pass to the open man rather than shoot from a bad spot

Answer 11

dany heatley. he is a crafty hard shooting forward who dosen't mind getting his nose dirty and i think can be a leader.

Answer 12

tim duncan cause he is a leader

Answer 13

Peyton Manning cuz he will b a franchise QB

Answer 14

MARK MESSIER!!!!!!

often called the greatest leader of all time.

no brainer.

Answer 15

Mike Eruzione- may not have talent, def have the heart.

Answer 16

Datsyuk and Lidstrom were already mentioned several times so I will continue the trend and go with Zetterberg.  The dude plays hard at each end of the ice every shift.   He is a phenomenal scorer and set up guy plus he has the ability to be a shut down defensive winger.  He almost never takes a stupid penalty, is very rarely out of position, and from what I can see from media coverage has the can-do positive attitude that has a huge impact on lockerooms.

All-time is without a doubt Stevie Y though.

Joe Thornton? Are people serious?  He is an excellent regular season player, one of the best set up guys in the NHL, but the dude folds up like a book each and every playoff.  His production is a huge part of the Sharks regular season success and his lack of production and leadership in the playoffs is the reason the Sharks haven't won the cup with him.  The Sharks addressed their leadership issue in the offseason by brining in Boyle and Blake to hopefully prop up the team so they don't collape in on themselves again.

Answer 17

Peyton Manning has two foreheads and five egos.  The Cubs suck and always will, regardless of whether or not baseball sucks.

Present players?

Nicklas Lidstrom - personifies class, leadership, confidence, perseverance, and composure.  I don't think I need to list credentials.  He does it all without expecting anything but 200% effort from his guys, which is all a true Red Wing puts forth.  He gets the job done on the ice.

Jerome Iginla - plays with passion and intensity.  I used to think he was cheap but I later realized he just has unrivaled drive and determination.  His rough, sometimes choppy play can be compensated for by a certain classy humbleness and respect for the game and his opponents off the ice.  Not as outspoken as I would have thought, merely a guy who loves to compete.

Joe Thornton - he has kept the San Jose Sharks in playoff contention since he was dealt there.  Great leadership from guys like Patrick Marleau helps, but Joe Thornton is the backbone of the team.  His patience, quiet play, size, and composure give him a lot of similar qualities that Nick Lidstrom has without sacrificing grit or authority.  His presence on the ice commands respect from an opponent's defense because of his unselfish playmaking ability.  Another guy that does his job on the ice and more without complaints or any expectations.

Past

Steve Yzerman - His nickname is The Captain.  Note the word "The" is capitalized.  Enough said.

Bryan Trottier - The idol of Steve Yzerman inspired the arguably greatest leader in NHL history (or sports history, but I'm also a Joe Montana fan.  We won't cross-reference sports here, because we already know Stevie Y was the greatest captain ever).  Winning say, 4 Stanley Cups in a row might move one to bring him to their franchise too.  Just a bonus.

Wayne Gretzky - There's a reason why he's called The Great One.  Granted, you need a few enforcers to protect him, but Steve Yzerman did have Bob Probert to watch his back.  Sounds better than Brinks Security to me.  Gretzky, even with Mark Messier as captain, made everybody around him better.  Holy offensive vision batman!  His playmaking ability makes his goal scoring look irrelevant.  That's saying something.

Answer 18

Alex ovechkin, he can score goals and he brings intensity.  You get him, and you can stock up on defense, get a few secondary goal scorers, and you have a good team.  The problem with the caps right now is that their defense is mediocre, if they could just add a good stay at home defensman and a two way defensman, they will be a really tough team to beat.

Answer 19

Teemu Selanne:

Selanne because he has leadership skills as well as 10+ years in the NHL experience as well as experience in National level (Suomi)

He gets his teammates involved in the game..

pep talks/gives tips, great passing skills, great stick handling, can score, etc.