Top 5 Players I'd Choose to Build My Team!

Sidney Crosby : Of course. Crosby improves his team simply by bringing high expectations into the locker room and onto the ice. Some argue the Penguins have been fortunate in finding wingers who "fit" with Sid, but after so many "fits," you have to question whether Crosby just "fits" with any winger and makes them into scoring threats.

Patrice Bergeron: As a consummate leader, captain, clutch finisher, responsible defender, and ultimate warrior, Bergeron is the type of player you want to build a team around.

Andrei Vasilevskiy: One of the best goalies in the league, two-time Stanley Cup Champion, had an incredible season, has been a candidate for best elite goaltender in hockey for the past four years. He has proven he can get it done on the big stage and he is a great leader, which is exactly what you want to backstop your team!

Alex Ovechkin: Now that he's defeated the Penguins and won the Stanley Cup, Ovi's focus is on winning and having fun with his teammates. His unbridled joy in scoring and winning, combined with his tenacity, place him near the top of my list. Everyone wants a piece of what Ovi has bottled, which would be useful when starting from the ground up.

Mitch Marner (Mitch): The obvious question of why not Auston Matthews or John Tavares must be addressed first. Without a doubt, Matthews is exceptional, but he is not a builder. He definitely prefers not to be the focus of attention, and this is not a complaint. And I'm sure he'll always be a quiet leader on his teams; he just doesn't strike me as the type of catalyst we're discussing.

Tavares did have his own team in New York for a few years, and to be honest, I wouldn't argue with anyone who believes he belongs here. However, he, like me, wants to lead by example, and if I'm creating a franchise, I need more extroversion.

But Mitch Marner is a whole ‘nother story. Yes, he is unproven, and one could certainly argue that his diminutive stature make him an unlikely physical force to inspire teams. But that's before you consider the way Marner sees the ice, sees plays develop, makes lightning fast calculations that draw multiple opponents to him as he creates space for himself and others in order to dish the puck to the perfect spot for a teammate to score