Here's my first list. I know it's not a Top 10 but I've got a few on tap that I need a bit more time to complete so I'm starting my first Olympic themed list, My All Time Team Canada.
1st Line
LW- Wayne Gretzky
C- Mario Lemieux
RW- Maurice Richard
2nd Line
LW- Joe Sakic
C- Steve Yzerman
RW- Gordie Howe
3rd Line
LW- Guy LaFleur
C- Gilbert Perreault
RW- Mike Bossy
4th Line
LW- Ron Francis
C- Bob Gainey
RW- Marcel Dionne
Def. Pair 1
RD- Bobby Orr
LD- Doug Harvey
Def. Pair 2
RD- Larry Robinson
LD- Ray Bourque
Def. Pair 3
RD- Paul Coffey
LD- Denis Potvin
Goalies
1- Patrick Roy
2- Terry Sawchuk
3- Martin Brodeur
Reserves
1- Bobby Hull
2- Stan Mikita
3- Brad Park
4- Howie Morenz
5- Red Kelly
Line 1
The Greatest Playmaker, The Greatest 2 Way Center and the Original Power Forward. Gretzky and Lemieux with Richard would be an amazing sight to see. I really don't think theirs a defensive strategy in the history of hockey that could stop that line.
Line 2
I wanted this line to be a bit more defensively responsible, which is why I chose Mr. Hockey to be the RW over Mike Bossy.
Line 3
Not your typical 3rd line checking line but they'd be the best 3rd line in the history of hockey.
Line 4
You know you're deep on offense when Marcel Dionne is a 4th line checker.
Def. Pair 1
The 2 greatest defencemen in NHL history as you're top pairing would be like waking up in heaven with 40 virgins waiting for you. Harvey's defensive mind set would allow Orr to pretty much become the 4th forward on the ice.
Def. Pair 2
2 more of the greatest defencemen in history as a pairing. This would be my personal shutdown tandem.
Def. Pair 3
Coffey wasn't my first choice but I felt compelled to ave him because of his offensive game. I kind of wanted Park here but decided to give it to Coffey for Power Play purposes only.
Goalies
This proved tougher then expected. I really couldn't decide if I wanted Roy or Sawchuk as my starter. Ultimately, it came down to Roy's clutch OT play in the Playoffs. In hindsight, Brodeur may be the better option simply because of the 3, he'd be the one who's used to facing a low number of shots but I'm sticking to Roy.
Reserves
I know this may come as a surprise since I don't have Mark Messier anywhere on this team. Truth is, I couldn't find room for him. Theirs plenty of leadership and offense among the forwards that Messier becomes expendable. I could of had him as a reserve but I wanted 2 extra forwards and 2 extra defencemen along with the most versatile player in NHL history, Red Kelly., who can play both forward and defence.
Coach and GM
I knew I forgot something when making the list so here they are, my coaching staff and GM.
Head Coach- Scotty Bowman
Forwards Coach- Toe Blake
Defence Coach- Scott Stevens
Goalie Coach- Francois Allaire
General Manager- Sam Pollock
