You’re crazy.  Not only would that team compete for the playoffs, that team would win the cup.  It’s not possible to assemble due to the salary cap, but that team would dominate offensively.  This team would lead the league in offense easily and all the scoring they would do would overcome any weakness in goal.

Gaborik - Hossa - Havlat
Sedin - Sedin - Kovalev
Gionta - Koivu - Cammileri
Tanguay - Lang - Sullivan
Cole, Pahlsson

Niedermyer - Ohlund
Komiserak - Beuchemin
Spacek - Morris
Scuderi

Rolosson
Khabibulin

Posted by Cartman on 10/05/09 at 12:28 PM ET

It is a common mistake to over-estimate the future production of aging veterans.  Injuries and a natural decline with aging will bring their numbers well below the predictions that are often made.  For example we can look at last year’s UFA All Star Team.  When all was said and done, they were not so good.  I don’t think they would have been a playoff team.  This year’s team looks a little bit better, but I don’t think they are nearly as much better as you imagine.

Posted by PuckStopsHere on 10/05/09 at 01:02 PM ET

maybe so..

but if you gave me the two lists this time last year i still choose this years UFA team in a heartbeat.

Posted by iggsplode on 10/05/09 at 02:39 PM ET

This “team” is only uncertain in its ability to compete and challenge for the Cup in the same way that, say, Washington’s or Pittsburgh’s or Detroit’s teams are - that is to say, anything can happen. 

On paper, that is a powerhouse of talent.  You can ask questions about how they’d gel or speculate about which one might slip a bit in terms of production, or bemoan the lack of role players, but there’s simply no team in the league that could compete with that one on a pure depth of talent level, save perhaps in net. 

While I don’t disagree with your “thesis” - that free agency is not nearly as important to a team’s fortunes, or as wise a method of construction to choose as building through smart drafting - the notion that this team is anything less than a powerhouse of talent is absurd.  Maybe you wouldn’t want to get stuck with this team 5 years from now, when most of the contracts are still in play and the players are well past their sunny-sides.  But right now?  That team would be a Cup frontrunner, no question.

Posted by Jon from Edmonton on 10/05/09 at 03:10 PM ET

The problem with your thinking is you’re acting like last year’s list is similar to this year’s.  You can’t seriously believe they’re similar can you?  Last year’s list, out of the forwards only Hossa wasn’t an aging vet. 

This year’s list is completely different.  The sedins are still in their prime.  Hossa, Havlat and Gaborik are still in their prime, as well as camelleri.  The talent level b/w the two lists isn’t even comparable.  This year’s list would not only destroy last year’s list, they would destroy the league.

Basically, you’re using logic like because last year’s team was full of declining vets and probably wouldn’t make the playoffs, then that must mean the same is true of this year’s team without even acknowledging the difference between the two teams.  It’s just blanket statement stating this year has to be the same as last year.

Posted by Cartman on 10/05/09 at 05:08 PM ET

I am arguing that you under-estimate how quickly these types of players go from the highly regarded guys they are today to being declining vets. 

The same comment is made every year - Last year"s team was a bunch of players in decline but this year is better.  Usually it doesn’t turn out that way - but next year’s team will be better.

Posted by PuckStopsHere on 10/05/09 at 05:38 PM ET

It would be interesting to generate the production of last year’s UFA team (games, goals, assists, penalties, plus/minus)—pro-rated of course for time on ice since not everybody can play 25 minute each—to give an idea of what that squad might have accomplished as a unit. Then that data can be used as a gauge or milepost to compare against the current and future UFA teams.

Posted by Matthew McCallum from Redding, California on 10/05/09 at 06:51 PM ET

Cartman, while i agree with your defense and goalies, i think i would have my forward combos like this:

Hossa - Cammileri - Havlat
Sedin - Sedin - Gaborik
Gionta - Koivu - Kovalev
Tanguay - Lang - Sullivan
Cole, Pahlsson

Hossa cannot take a face-off

Posted by damji on 10/05/09 at 09:57 PM ET