Creating the All-Canadian Team lineup for 2022-23

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The goal of this column is to take a crack at creating the best All-Canadian Team lineup for the 2022-23 season. The rules are straightforward: three forwards, two defencemen, one goaltender, and a head coach. The caveat: you can only select one representative from each of the seven Canadian NHL teams.

We had a lot of fun playing with different combinations last season, and this year will be no different. With the sheer star power in cities like Edmonton and Toronto, and with the significant roster turnover in places like Ottawa and Calgary, the lineups figure to be quite different. Only being able to select one representative per team forces you to optimize the lineup in ways that leave elite options out of the mix.

I’ll take the lead and create my optimal seven-man team, but I’m fascinated to see what others think is the best setup possible. I’ll take a (surprise!) data-driven approach to try and optimize these lineups, and we’ll see where it succeeds and where it may miss the mark.

Two housekeeping notes:

- There are any number of skaters who may have multiple position eligibility (think Leon Draisaitl at centre and wing); it’s dealer’s choice when you are making your picks.

- The data tables reflect even-strength production (individual and on-ice) for apples-to-apples comparisons.

Let’s start in net.

Goaltender: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

This was the first time in a few years where I had to wrestle with the decision in the crease. Thatcher Demko is a very good goaltender and selecting Demko would have allowed me to consider either of the famed Jets wingers in Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers when that position came around.

But it’s hard to pass up on the consensus best goaltender amongst the