NHL Hitz 2012

Counting down the days until October 7 is turning into a death march.

The Cubs suck, I’m perpetually sweaty, and I’m tired of watching reruns on NHL Network. So lately, I’ve found myself spending more time playing hockey videogames.

Mostly NHL 11, but I’ve been getting back in NHL Hitz.

For the deprived out there, NHL Hitz is the NFL Blitz version of hockey. Rules don’t apply and the hockey is 3v3. It’s fast, physical, fantasmical, and a blast.

You have a roster of six or seven guys from which to pick your starting three; a winger, a center, and a defenseman. You can put whomever you want wherever you want. You also have the opportunity to switch it up during intermission if things aren’t going well.

So it got me thinking about what my NHL Hitz 2012 squad would look like.

First, here are the parameters of the fantasy. This is a ‘if they played 3v3 in real life’ deal, so the players’ abilities have to be more seriously taken into consideration.

-The playing surface will be smaller than a regulation rink. Bring the boards in a bit and shorten it up. The goals will be inbetween the near and far faceoff dots.

-‘new’ NHL rules don’t apply as strictly as they do now. There will be more leeway for hitting, finishing checks, and trying to slow guys down a bit, but no egregious bullshit. Powerplays last for 60 seconds.

-No off-sides, no icing.

-Three five-minute periods. The only time line changes can take place is during intermission.

With that out of the way, it’s on to the fun part…picking the starting three. Like Hitz, the pool will be seven players. Here are the choices…

Offense:
-Jonathan Toews
-Patrick Kane
-Marian Hossa
-Patrick Sharp

Defense:
-Duncan Keith
-Brent Seabrook
-Niklas Hjalmarsson

When looking at the Blackhawks’ roster, you could roll out some totally rad 3-man squads depending on what the situation called for. But for this exercise, pick the starting three.

I know for certain that Toews and Kane will be two of the three. Mostly because I love Toews, and Kane’s passing ability is funk nasty. Watching Kane play in this intensified version of shinny would be an awesome sight.

Picking a defenseman is where it gets tough for me. I’m not sure if I want a ‘true’ defenseman or if I want another forward. Initially I was thinking Campbell would be perfect for this slot. But alas, he is no longer an option as he deals with terrifying ginger-related sunburn issues down in South Beach.

I’m leaning towards Keith right now. As much as I’d like to have Hossa out there, I feel like there would be a need for an actual defenseman in this game. I guess if I was down a couple of goals I’d put out the T-K-HO line in for a period, but that’s a different story. I like Keith’s style of play, his ability to use his body if need be, and I think in 3v3 he’s a must-pick over Seabrook.

Towes – Kane – Keith, with Crow in net. This is a formidable bunch. What it lacks in speed it makes up for with puck possession, passing, and wicked wrister ability. They’d be pushed around a bit, but it’s hard to believe they wouldn’t capitalize on the majority of their opponents’ mistakes.

What would your starting three be for an NHL Hitz-style game in 2012? With a pool of seven, what starting three from the Hawks or any other NHL team, would you pick? What team could potentially put together the best three? What about an all-star game?

So much awesomeness to debate. Get to it