'RLD Dream Team' - Part 1/7

An on-going feature this week will be the revealing of my ‘dream team’. Like Kurt Russell (acting as Herb Brooks) says in the movie Miracle… “I’m not looking for the best ones; I’m looking for the right ones.” And that’s exactly I’m going to do. There won’t be more than 2 players from the same team, while staying under this year’s cap ceiling of about $59 million. The salaries used will be from the 08/09 season. I also avoided putting the obvious choices of Ovechkin, Crosby, or Malkin on the team.

Today we’re going to start with #1 offensive unit…

Left Wing-
#10 BRENDAN MORROW

Age: 30
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 205
Shoots: Left
08/09 Salary: $4.1 million
The captain of the Dallas Stars, Brendan Morrow, has grown into one of my favorite players in the league. He’s effective in all situations; he can play shorthanded, on the man advantage, and elevates his game come playoff time. He also has a lot of grit to his game. Morrow had his breakout season last year before tearing his ACL earlier this season. If I were a GM in this league, I’d definitely want Morrow on my team.

Center-
#15 RYAN GETZLAF

Age: 23
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 221
Shoots: Right
08/09 Salary: $5.325 million
Another player who has really grown on me is Getzlaf… the more I watch him, the more I like him. ‘Getzy’ is strong with the puck and has a mean streak. His point total has increased in each of his 4 seasons. He was 3rd in the league in assists behind Malkin & Crosby this year. Getzlaf has been a freak of nature in this postseason with 14 points in 9 games. He’s arguably the most dominant player in the playoffs right now. And oh yeah, he has a Cup on his resume already.

Right Wing-
#12 JAROME IGINLA

Age: 31
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 207
Shoots: Right
08/09 Salary: $7 million
Iginla is my 2nd favorite captain in the NHL (behind J. Arnott). He’ll do anything to defend a teammate or help his team win. ‘Iggy’ is a bonifide goal-scorer, reaching the 50-goal twice in his career. Despite a disappointing show in the playoffs this year, he’s almost a point per game in his playoff career, and led the Flames on a surprise run to the finals in 2004. On this team he’ll be the highest-paid player, and an assistant captain.