The QMJHL has produced a lot of strong talent over the years -- more than it gets credit for nowadays.
With that in mind, if I were to ice a 23-man roster of QMJHL alumni, this is what it would look like.
Now I'd like to make a couple caveats before showing the roster. I am not just going to place guys based on point production alone, but also considering intangibles and defensive game as well.
Furthermore, the lower lines will have more of a focus on defense and size, compared the upper lines, which will mostly be expected to produce offensively.
Forwards
First Line
Nikolaj Ehlers - Nathan MacKinnon - Nikita Kucherov
Pretty straight forward. Nathan MacKinnon is coming off of a MVP trophy, Nikita Kucherov is coming off of a 144-point season and Nikolaj Ehlers has done exceptionally despite being buried behind Kyle Connor in Winnipeg.
Second Line
Alexis Lafreniere - Sidney Crosby - Drake Batherson
This line is a little more interesting. Lafreniere and Batherson can provide some scoring, while Crosby can set them up and help carry the load defensively.
Third Line
Jonathan Huberdeau - Nico Hischier - Jonathan Marchessault
To get Huberdeau going, why not set him up on a line with not only a 30 goal scorer but a 40 goal scorer as well? Plus Hischier can help at the other end of the ice as well.
Fourth Line
Timo Meier - Philipp Danault - Claude Giroux
Now this line would absolutely rock. Super responsible defensively thanks to Danault and Giroux, and Meier would bring some physicality as well. Best part is, all three can chip in offensively as well.
Defense
First Pair
Thomas Chabot - Mackenzie Weegar
I know some people may put Dobson over Weegar, but I just wouldn't trust a pair of Chabot and Dobson defensively together and would rather a truly top notch shutdown defenseman like Weegar to secure the first pairing. Plus, I'd rather have Dobson play on the second pair, than on his off-hand on the first pair.
Second Pair
Samuel Girard - Noah Dobson
This is the fun pairing and also would likely be the first pair on the power play, too. Dobson is coming off a monster year and Girard still has good offensive microstats despite a down year production wise.
Third Pair
Alexandre Carrier - Kris Letang
Okay, because of a lack of defensive depth, I had to do some finagling. Carrier would play off-handed, but should help secure this pair a bit more defensively. Meanwhile, Letang will drive the pair's offence.
Goaltending
Samuel Montembeault - Marc-Andre Fleury
This is certainly a tandem. Montembeault can provide some stops, but Fleury is here because of name value and there being a shallow pool to pick from. Mostly relying on the team's defensive stahlwarts to weather the storm for the goalies.
Extras
LW Brad Marchand
Brad Marchand isn't quite the same as he used to be, but he's found a way to remain as important of a piece to the Bruins as he can, and that's through his leadership. Plus, if we needed a guy to get under the other team's skin for a few games, who better than "the Rat."
C Pierre-Luc Dubois
With the down year, after a down year and not being that strong defensively, I can't justify him making the main roster, however as a fill in? Absolutely.
D Ryan Graves
He might've had a down year production, but Ryan Graves is still a solid defender in his own end.