How to build an NHL team?
It’s a question without an obvious answer. Sure, we’ve all played NHL on our PS4 or Xbox so we think we have a clue. But for 99% of us, we’ll never get the chance to apply our knowledge for such a position.
But since we’re in the internet age, I might as well share my thoughts in an article. In this piece, I’m sharing my five takeaways on how to build an NHL team based on the conference finalists.
How To Build an NHL Team: Have a Plan
Good teams know who they are and what they are. They have an identity. They know what their strengths and weaknesses are. Each team that made the conference finals this postseason followed some plan to get here.
Looking at Each Team:
For the New York Rangers, that plan for success involves strong goaltending, timely scoring, and hits. It worked for most of the regular season as Igor Shesterkin finished the year with a .936 SV% and a 23.71 GSAA. As a result, he will win the Vezina, and the Rangers are two games away from their first Stanley Cup Finals since 2014.
Tampa Bay wouldn’t be back-to-back champions without a plan and identity. Certainly, goaltending is a significant reason for Tampa’s success. But they’ve never been shy to add skill players and grit when needed. In short, get good players. That’s the Tampa way.
Like the Lightning, the Avs have never been afraid to add quality players when needed. In addition, Colorado feels as close to an all-star team as we can find in the league but need to find a way to close out a title. Even if they don’t win the Stanley Cup this year, there’s no reason why Colorado’s model shouldn’t be followed by other teams in the league.
Edmonton’s identity is pretty simple. Let Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl do their thing. The rest will work itself out. This postseason is an example of that. On the other hand, this is only their second time past the first round with McDavid and Draisaitl. Of the teams remaining, Edmonton’s plan is probably the least practical. But it’s the most chaotic, so at least from an entertainment perspective, it’s great.
How To Build an NHL Team: Manage Your Assets Accordingly
One of the reasons Edmonton frustrates me as a franchise is the poor asset management. Notable moves include:
- Trading to take on Duncan Keith’s contract
- Extending Darnell Nurse to an AAV more than Cale Makar and Dougie Hamilton
- Giving up a 2nd-round pick for Brett Kulak (even with Montreal taking on 50% of his contact)
That’s all within the last year, and I’d argue the Oilers made it this far despite these deals.
I would argue the same for the Rangers, but they’re up on Tampa right now, so it’s fine. They aren’t on the same level as Edmonton in terms of bad moves but still, they could have some problems in a few years (Goodrow contract, Trouba contract, trading Buchnevich). Winning a cup this year would make things a little better.
However, Colorado has some of the best asset management in the league. They almost always nail their draft picks, especially in the first round (Cale Makar, Bowen Byram, and Alex Newhook, to name a few). In addition, Joe Sakic usually comes out on top of any trade he makes (Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, and Artturi Lehkonen to name a few more).
The Bolts are another team with solid asset management. They understand that their window to win is now, and they aren’t afraid to swing for the fences when making moves. Sure, two first-round picks for Brandon Hagel is a steep price. Mathieu Joseph AND a fourth-round pick are maybe a bit much for Nick Paul (a UFA this summer) but they’ve won the last two cups. If anyone deserves the benefit of the doubt, it’s Tampa.
How To Build an NHL Team: Never Hesitate to Add Good Players
Several of you are reading this saying, “no, really”. But, I do believe teams are hesitant to add good players for one reason or another. Whether it be cost, locker room fit, role on the team, whatever. The ultimate goal should be to make your team better, and if you can add a player that improves your chances of winning, do so.
The Rangers signing of Artemi Panarin is an example of this. New York signed Panarin in free agency three years ago, while rebuilding. But, they understood that as long the talent is in the building, they’ll figure out how to use it. Now, thanks to the help of Panarin, the Rangers are having their best season since 2015.
Edmonton signing Zach Hyman is another example. Sure, that contract will stink by the time it ends in 2028. But it works short-term when your two best players are at their peak and you need to win now. Even cheaper deals like the Lightning gave to Corey Perry and Patrick Maroon were great moves. Depending on far back you want to go, Colorado trading for Nazem Kadri was a wise move. To sum up, don’t hesitate to add good players.
How To Build an NHL Team: You Need (At Least) Two Superstars
These are the players you can rely on when times get tough. My superstar list for each team right now includes:
- Edmonton: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
- Colorado: Nathan Mackinnon and Cale Makar
- NY Rangers: Igor Shesterkin and Artemi Panarin
- Tampa Bay: Andrei Vasilevskiy and Nikita Kucherov (or Victor Hedman, or Steven Stamkos, or Brayden Point when healthy)
Yes, hockey is a team game. But your top guys have to be your top guys. In the case of the Oilers, they wouldn’t be here with McDavid or Draisaitl. They’re averaging 3.87 points/per game combined, which is better than any two other players in the playoffs.
It helps when your goalie is one of your superstars. Like quarterbacks in the NFL, it’s so hard to find elite players at that position so if you got one, don’t waste it. The Rangers and Lightning have lived off strong goaltending, and it’s why they’ve made it this far.
Colorado is different in that they’ve built their team from the forward down. Finding an elite goalie is the missing piece for the Avs. Whether they bring back Darcy Kuemper or go another direction is an intriguing decision they’ll make this summer.
There’s More Than One Way For Success
While this piece dives into what the top four teams have done to get this far, others should be considered as ideal models. Squads like the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Toronto Maple Leafs have all done an excellent job roster building and are now trying to find sustained playoff success. Or, you can go the Vegas Golden Knights route of making high-risk investments and go all-in every year. It’s all relevant.
In the case of the four conference finalists, there’s more than one way to construct your team. Tampa Bay and Colorado have gone the way of adding talent slowly over time and becoming a consistent contenders. New York added a new coach who improves the play of your younger players while riding a PDO bender to give them a short-term boost. You can even follow Edmonton’s strategy of playing two of the best players in the world and hope everything else falls into place.
All of these are options, and all of these have worked so far. As in life, there’s no one pathway to success, and anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong. And no, your NHL MyGM experience doesn’t count. Sorry.