Alright, here we go:

Lines

Here's the Capgeek Link (hope this works)

Here’s my rationale:

Proven Winners: This team has 8 Cups winners on it, with another 3 that have made it to the finals. As such, this is a group of players that can win when it matters most.

Defense, Defense, Defense: As we see just about every year in the playoffs, defense is as important as offense (if not, more so). This team boasts 3 strong shutdown defencemen (Staal, Hedman, Beauchemin), and all 5 centermen and Landeskog are known as much for their defensive abilities as their offensive skills.

Special Teams: This team boasts a number of players that see regular PK time (most notably Talbot, Powe, Richards, Adams, Kovalchuk, Hedman and Beauchemin). As for a PP line of Hossa/Richards/Franzen/Kovalchuk/Byfuglien? Yes please!

Stars can be the Stars: I know the idea behind this competition is to make a “dream team” of sorts, which is why there are teams with Skinner, RNH, et al on their third line. That does show great depth, but what good would these guys be on a third line w/ 13 or so minutes of ice time per night? You have to have players in the right roles, and you have to let your star players be your star players. That said, this team’s 3rd line has players who familiar with that role, while still possessing enough offensive ability to be able to fill Top-6 roles if necessary (Talbot, Ott, Hansen).

Here for a Long Time: Only half of this team will go to free agency by the end of 2014, with most key players remaining under contract after 2016 (Hedman, Kovalchuk, Richards, Franzen, Hossa).

A Bit of Grit: While this isn’t the toughest team on the planet, it does boast Ott, Eager, McQuaid and Richards. As well as Mike Weber, in spot duty.

Goalies: This is my version of Boston’s Thomas/Rask model, with the veteran staying in the starting role until the “young padawan” is ready. Anderson is a proven starter, having shown the ability to steal games on multiple occasions, while raising his game in the playoffs. Markstrom has limited NHL experience at this time, but is largely regarded as one of the top goaltending prospect in the NHL.