Restoring the Rosters: Edmonton Oilers
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
Categories: 30 Team Series, NHLHS Features, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Ales Hemsky, Alex Plante, Andrew Cogliano, Andy Moog, Danny Syvret, Devan Dubnyk, Fernando Pisani, Georges Laraque, Grant Fuhr, Jake Allen, Jari Kurri, Jason Arnott, Jason Chimera, Jeff Deslauriers, Jeff Petry, Jordan Eberle, Kevin Lowe, Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Mark Messier, Mathieu Roy, Matt Greene, Matthew Lombardi, Mike Comrie, Miroslav Satan, Nikolai Khabibulin, Olivier Roy, Paul Coffey, Rob Schremp, Ryan Smyth, Sam Gagner, Shawn Horcoff, Taylor Chorney, Theo Peckham, Tom Poti, Wayne Gretzky, Zack Stortini
Restoring the Rosters: Detroit Red Wings
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
Categories: 30 Team Series, NHLHS Features, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Brett Lebda, Chris Osgood, Darren Helm, Derek Meech, Henrik Zetterberg, Jacub Kindl, Jimmy Howard, Johan Franzen, Jonathan Ericsson, Justin Abdelkader, Kyle Quincey, Mike Knuble, Nicklas Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall, Pavel Datsyuk, Sean Avery, Slava Kozlov, Tomas Fleischmann, Tomas Holmstrom, Tomas Kopecky, Valtteri Filppula, Ville Leino
Restoring the Rosters: Columbus Blue Jackets
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
Categories: 30 Team Series, NHLHS Features, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Aaron Johnson, Alex Picard, Andrew Murray, Dan Fritsche, Dan LaCosta, Derek Dorsett, Derick Brassard, Gilbert Brule, Jakub Voracek, Jared Boll, John Moore, Ken Hitchcock, Kris Russell, Maksim Mayorov, Marc Methot, Nikita Filatov, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Pascal Leclaire, Rick Nash, Rostislav Klesla, Steve Mason, Tim Jackman, Tom Sestito
Restoring the Rosters: Dallas Stars
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
Categories: 30 Team Series, NHLHS Features, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Antti Miettinen, B.J. Crombeen, Brendan Morrow, Ivan Vishnevskiy, James Neal, Jamie Benn, Jamie Langenbrunner, Jarome Iginla, Jere Lehtinen, John Erskine, Jussi Jokinen, Loui Eriksson, Mark Fistric, Matt Niskanen, Maxime Fortunas, Mike Modano, Nicklas Grossman, Steve Ott, Tom Wandell, Trevor Daley
Restoring the Rosters: Colorado Avalanche
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
Categories: 30 Team Series, NHLHS Features, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Adam Foote, Alex Tanguay, Brandon Yip, Chris Drury, Chris Stewart, Curtis Joseph, Dominik Hasek, Jean-Michael Liles, Jeff Finger, Joe Sakic, Kyle Cumiskey, Martin Skoula, Mats Sundin, Matt Duchene, Milan Hejduk, Owen Nolan, Paul Stastny, Peter Budaj, Radim Vrbata, Robyn Regehr, Ryan O'Reilly, Samuel Pahlsson, Tim Thomas, Tom Gilbert, Tyler Weiman, Wojtek Wolski
Restoring the Rosters: Buffalo Sabres

I previously skipped over the Sabres, so here they are.
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
The Sabres rely heavily on their drafting and development of young players in order to keep their payroll down. Due to their restrictions monetarily, the team has succeeded in producing a vast amount of NHL regulars as well as some well regarded players. Overall, there really is no weaknesses to their lineup from the net on out. A mostly young core, this team greatly resembles the team currently constructed but with more depth and much improved blueline.
The lineup for the Buffalo Sabres is as follows.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Ales Kotalik, Andrej Sekera, Andrew Peters, Brad May, Brian Campbell, Buffalo Sabres, Chris Butler, Clarke MacArthur, Cory Sarich, Daniel Paille, Dennis Wideman, Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Henrik Tallinder, Jan Hejda, Jason Pominville, Jay McKee, Joe Thornton, Jonas Enroth, Keith Ballard, Mark Mancari, Martin Biron, Maxim Afinogenov, Mike Zigomanis, Nathan Gerbe, Nathan Paetsch, Patrick Kaleta, Paul Gaustad, Ryan Miller, Steve Bernier, Steve Reinprecht, Thomas Vanek, Tim Kennedy, Tyler Ennis, Tyler Myers, Wayne Primeau
Restoring the Rosters: Chicago Blackhawks

Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
Due to excellent drafting over the last couple of years, the Blackhawks have restocked the cupboard nicely. The core established on their current roster is mostly homegrown with players with free agent signings filling out a few spots. Both their forwards and defensive units feature high end talent as well as solid depth.
The lineup for the Chicago Blackhawks is as follows.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Adam Burish, Antii Niemi, Brent Seabrook, Bryan Bickell, Cam Barker, Corey Crawford, Craig Anderson, Cristobal Huet, Danny Cleary, Dave Bolland, Dean McAmmond, Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien, Ethan Moreau, Jack Skille, James Wisniewski, John Madden, Jonathan Toews, Kent Huskins, Kris Versteeg, Kyle Calder, Marian Gaborik, Michael Blunden, Michael Leighton, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Nikolai Khabibulin, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Rene Bourque, Troy Brouwer, Tuomo Ruutu
Restoring the Rosters: Carolina Hurricanes
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
Looking at the roster, there are a few names most casual fans would know, and then a few only Hurricanes fans and prospect enthusiasts have knowledge of. Despite carrying a few superstar players the Canes have to rely on a plethora of young and unproven players.
The lineup for the Carolina Hurricanes is as follows.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Andrew Ladd, Brandon Sutter, Brett Carson, Bryan Rodney, Cam Ward, Casey Borer, Chad LaRose, Chris Pronger, Craig Adams, Craig MacDonald, Danny Richmond, Drayson Bowman, Eric Cole, Eric Staal, Jack Johnson, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Justin Peters, Manny Legace, Michael Nylander, Niclas Wallin, Ryan Bayda, Tyson Strachan, Zach Boychuk
Restoring the Rosters: Calgary Flames
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goal-tending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
This Flames team features a legitimate NHL player in every slot, not something I can say for every team. Their strength seems to be in drafting and developing solid grinding type forwards and defensemen. The roster lacks star power but makes up for it with solid depth.
The lineup for the Calgary Flames is as follows.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Adam Pardy, Blair Betts, Brandon Moss, Brandon Prust, Calgary Flames, Chris Clark, Chuck Kobasew, Cory Sarich, Cory Stillman, Craig Anderson, Denis Gauthier, Derek Morris, Dion Phaneuf, Dustin Boyd, Dwayne Roloson, Eric Nystrom, Jared Stoll, Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester, Jonas Frogren, Kris Chucko, Kurtis Foster, Mark Giordano, Martin St.Louis, Robyn Regehr, Steve Begin, Toni Lydman, Travis Moen, Zdeno Chara
Restoring the Rosters: Boston Bruins
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age. I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goal-tending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
Much of the Bruins drafting success has come from recently restoring the cupboards. Regardless of where it came from, the Bruins have been quite successful in locating and developing high end forward talent and decent defensive depth.
The lineup for the Boston Bruins is as follows.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Andrew Alberts, Andrew Raycroft, Andy Hilbert, Brad Marchand, Byron Bitz, Christobal Huet, David Krejci, Hal Gill, Hannu Toivonen, Joe Thornton, Kris Vertsteeg, Mark Stuart, Matt Hunwick, Milan Jurcina, Milan Lucic, Nate Thompson, Nick Boynton, Patrice Bergeron, Phil Kessel, Sergei Samsonov, Shaone Morrisonn, Vladamir Sobotka, Yan Stastny
Restoring the Rosters: Atlanta Thrashers
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
With 6 out of their 11 total drafts in the top 5, 2 more in the top 10 and 2 more in the top 15, the Thrashers drafting has failed them in the long run. With Little more of a RW, the team is yet to develop a legitimate top 6 center at all. The teams depth is lacking at both forward and goaltending with way too many question marks.
The lineup for the Atlanta Thrashers is as follows.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Restoring the Rosters Tags: AHL, Alex Bourret, Andrew Kozek, Boris Valabik, Braydon Coburn, Brett Sterling, Brian Pothier, Bryan Little, Carl Klingberg, Circling the Bases, Colin Stuart, Danick Paquette, Dany Heatley, Darcy Hordichuk, Daulton Leveille, DEL, Derek MacKenzie, Evander Kane, Garnett Exelby, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jeremy Morin, Jim Slater, Joey Crabb, Kari Lehtonen, KHL, Matthew Pouliot, Mike Weaver, Nathan Oystrick, NHL, Ondrej Pavelec, Patrick Stefan, Riley Holzapfel, SEL, Simon Gamache, Spencer Machacek, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian
Restoring the Rosters: Anaheim Ducks
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
The lineup for the Anaheim Ducks is as follows.
Forwards:
The forward core for the Ducks is extremely deep. Their top 9 combines skill, speed and toughness making a combination that few other teams have rivaled. In addition to the Ducks great drafting, they successfully signed and implemented undrafted free agents into their roster.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Restoring the Rosters Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Andrew Ebbett, Andy MacDonald, Bobby Ryan, Brendan Mikkelson, Chris Kunitz, Corey Perry, Drew Miller, Dustin Penner, Ilya Bryzgalov, Joffrey Lupul, Jonas Hiller, Jordon Leopold, Ladislav Smid, Mark Popovic, Matt Belesky, Matt Cullen, PA Parenteau, Paul Kariya, Ruslan Salei, Ryan Carter, Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Shannon, Shane O'Brien, Trent Hunter


















