The Bay State is known for many things, dropping r’s, insufferable sports fans, and a Revolutionary War freedom trail that gets thrown up on nightly in the streets of Boston. Massachusetts also happens to be a top breeding ground for NHL players. The same goes for the Wolverine state. Over the years Michigan has produced 190 professional goaltenders and skaters. As of 2023, the Detroit metropolitan area held the record for most American-born NHL players.
This prompted NHL.com to ask this age-old question…
Some NHL teams would trade away 75% of their roster for either starting lineup. Star centers, hard-shot defensemen, and a two-time Vezina trophy winner.
Some people were immediately sold when NHL.com unveiled Massachusetts’s offensive trio of Jack Eichel, Chris Kreider, and Matt Boldy. Why wouldn’t it? I’m certain the Golden Knights would gladly adjust things around for a chance to ice that top three. Imagine the combination of Kreider’s power play prowess, Boldy’s high-level skill and Eichel’s playmaking abilities. Fans wouldn’t be so concerned about Vegas’ offensive holes for 2024-25.
Now the state of Michigan has a strong top three as well. Dylan Larkin, Alex Debrincat, and Kyle Connor combined for 94 goals in 2023-24. That’s Edmonton-level scoring. However, Massachusetts forwards totaled 99 tallies last season, Including 39 to Michigan’s 30 power play goals.
Massachusetts natives John Carlson and Noah Hanifin might be the best defensive pairing from any state in our nation. Both average 23+ minutes per game and defend in any situation. Carlson’s made a living picking up points on Alex Ovechkin’s top power play line. On the other side, Hanifin is no stranger to the 5-on-4 as well. In seven postseason games with Vegas, the d-man recorded three assists on the man advantage. That’s 35 PP assists over a full regular season.
If there were any weaknesses to Michigan’s lineup, it’s their defense. Matt Roy and Zach Werenski are both solid defenders and are heavily relied on by their coaches. Wereknski reached 200+ shots for the third time in his career last season and wracked up 46 assists.
There’s no doubt the Great Lake state has a significant edge in goal. Two-time Vezina trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck hails from Michigan and is arguably the NHL’s best tender. Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord gets the starting nod for Mass. However, Hellebuyck and Michigan overwhelmingly win the battle in net.
Photo: Spittin’ Chiclets Sandbagger 19
Overall, I lean towards my home state of Massachusetts to beat the great state of Michigan. The Commonwealth’s forward line and defensive pairing are a notch above. If it weren’t for Hellebyuck, it might be a 4-1 gentlemen’s sweep.
Only Minnesota, the state of hockey, has produced more professional players than Massachusetts. Right now, there are 38 active players from Minneapolis alone. So let’s continue the bracket and measure MA with MN.
If Minnesota were to create a starting lineup of native-born players, it could look like this: Brock Boeser, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, Justin Faulk, K’Andre Miller, and Jake Oettinger. Immediately from first glance, the North Star state captured the goalie matchup. Again, Daccord is coming into his own but Oettinger is already one of the league’s elites.
Offensively, Minnesota dresses an Anders and two Brocks. Boeser will likely lead the trio in goals but both Lee and Nelson bring 200-foot games. Scoring is only half of a forward’s job in Long Island. Eichel and the Bay staters might have more trouble with the Gopher state’s lineup because of their two-way play.
The Land of 10,000 Lakes is the home to some of the NHL’s most reliable defensemen. The two starters are big, physical blueliners who both average 25 assists per season. They would be likely much more difficult in their own end than Michigan would be. Add in goaltender Jake Oettinger and we have a tight seven-game series. In fact, I could see a make-believe series decided in overtime between these two unions.
In the end, Eichel and Hanifin’s lineup edged out the two Brocks and Oettinger for the team that reigns supreme. Massachusetts is the winner of the hypothetical home state-by-state championship.
Of course, there are dozens of players to create full rosters, especially with Canadian players from the same province. Maybe we’ll dive into those matchups next.
