If there is one position where the Canadian National hockey team is deepest almost every year and in almost every competition it is on the blueline. Other countries, namely Russia, may be known to have better talent up front than Canada from time to time. Other countries, several in fact, can claim better goaltending. But none, not even the mighty defensive corps of Sweden can claim superiority over Canada. Going into the Sochi Olympics this fact is no different, Canada has a wealth of defenseman all of whom other countries would put on their roster in a second. That is why it is so difficult to pick the six or seven names (although Canada is technically allowed to take 8 defenseman to Sochi) required to fill out this particular position.
This is also the position where the venue of these upcoming Olympic games factors the most. The international ice absolutely makes a difference for goaltenders just as it does for forwards. But when you are building a team you want to first make sure that your defense has plenty of mobility. For Canada the defense is often picked more based on physicality, which on the smaller NHL surfaces is a good decision and has been beneficial for the team in the past. The good thing for Canada is their caliber of defense is so high that they barely need to factor this in because almost all of the players invited to Canadian camp can be considered good skaters. Below is a look at the players who were invited to camp and how they rank at this present time.
The top pairing of the Canadian roster has been obvious since the last Olympics, and there is no need to change a thing four years later. Teammates and linemates on both Team Canada and the Chicago Blackhawks, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are both locks to make the Canadian roster once again. Considering the strength of the bond between this pairing, what is the point in splitting them up? Both are capable of playing top line minutes in international hockey on the big ice surface. Both are two-time Stanley Cup Champions and are Olympic gold medalists as a pair. Duncan Keith would almost certainly be on the top pairing at any rate. Seabrook, on the other hand, has drawn a decent degree of criticism this past year from Blackhawk’s faithful. But a couple of clutch Overtime winners and some unbelievable defensive play down the road to the Cup, and all that has since been forgotten.
After this, things get interesting as to who plays with whom. But there are a pair of absolute locks to make the team, the only thing that remains to be seen is in which defensive pairing they are the placed. The first of this pair is Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators. He was on Canada’s Olympic roster the last time around and is one of the best defenseman in the game today. While bigger and more physical than some other options Weber should have no problem reprising his role as an elite defenseman on the international ice and his shot will always be welcomed. He provided one of the defining moments of the last Olympics when he literally blasted a puck through the net against Germany. No matter which of the following players he is paired with the result will be dangerous both offensively and defensively.
The fourth lock to play for Team Canada was also part of the roster the last time they played. The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver was a coming out party for Drew Doughty of the LA Kings, whom many considered to be a shock to make the team. Not only did he play at an adequate level but he turned in a fantastic performance that saw coach Mike Babcock use him in almost every situation. This time around Doughty is far more established and has also improved his game. He is an excellent skater with great offensive and defensive abilities who should not only survive but thrive on the international ice. Maybe even a better indicator of his worth to this team then even his stellar prior Olympic experience is what he demonstrated during the Kings Cup run. Doughty is a winner and can be both a leader and a producer in high pressure situations.
Past this point it gets interesting as to who will fill the final two, maybe three, spots on the Canadian Olympic team. But in mentioning Drew Doughty we will start with the player who could very well fill the role of up and comer that he did in the last Olympics. That would be Alex Pietrangelo of the St. Louis Blues. Playing in St. Louis, Pietrangelo has fallen off the radar of sorts, which is why many who do not follow the league closely may be a bit puzzled as to why he has been selected for almost every single mock team. If they saw him play more than they would certainly lose these thoughts. At only 23 he is already one of the elite defenders in the league and has plenty of international experience, including a 2010-11 World Championship in which he faired incredibly well. Like Doughty, once Peitrangelo gets under the magnifying glass that is Team Canada he will be forgotten no more.
With one more spot on the top six it falls between two players who play a very similar style. Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins and PK Subban of the Montreal Canadiens were both considered longshots to make the Olympic team not too long ago, but their recent play coupled with the requirements of Canada for this tournament make them very good candidates to make this team. Both are coming off Norris Trophy nominations with Subban winning the award. It is for that reason, and a number of others, that Subban gets the edge and the final roster position on Team Canada. They both had the same point total this season but it was Subban who edged Letang by six goals, as he was on pace for 20 in a regular NHL campaign. Also, in many ways Letang simply got points from being on the ice at the same time as Crosby and Malkin. While plus/minus is not always a great indicator of ability, it does provide an interesting viewpoint in this case. Subban was +12 for the Montreal Canadiens and Kris Letang was +8 for the Penguins. As a team the Habs were +26 while the Penguins were +46. That is significant.
This doesn’t mean Letang shouldn’t get a spot on the team though, and he should be dressed as a potential seventh defenceman. Letang could prove useful for Team Canada, and let’s be honest here, who doesn’t want to see Subban and Letang run a power play together. It would be a thing of beauty and certainly make opponents think twice about giving Canada a man advantage. Letang’s use as a power play specialist who could play a regular shift here and there could really help the team. Especially in certain round robin games where the team may not want to risk tiring some of their better players. Furthermore, should an injury problem arise Letang would be a great replacement for just about any of the players aforementioned. In a defensive pairing with Shea Weber he could absolutely thrive.
Since Canada is allowed to take eight defenseman, adding another d-man is probably worth considering. With Letang’s offensive abilities already on the roster, it would be worth looking at a more defensive option. Probably the best player to fill this roll would be Marc Staal of the New York Rangers. He is young enough that he could definitely be a player for Canada at future Olympics and has demonstrated plenty of talent in the Big Apple. He could definitely play a third pairing shift and would be an asset on the penalty kill should injuries arise. Staal’s have always performed well for Canada, and there is no reason to think Mark would be any different.
As for the rest of the camp invitees they are quite an interesting list. Mike Green of the Washington Capitals was considered a major snub from the roster last time around but it will not be that way this time. But he is probably the best candidate to fill the seventh or eight offensive role of Letang, should injury require it. Teammate Karl Alzner is one of the biggest surprises at the camp and is definitely a longshot to make the team. The same has to be said for Travis Hamonic of the New York Islanders, although his age gives him potential to make the team down the road. Marc Methot of the Ottawa Senators had a great season but he is still probably the most surprising invite to camp. Dan Hamhuis has made his mark in Vancouver, and is near the top of the list if Canada needs a replacement, but as it stands he will probably not be on the roster.
Furthermore, Dion Phaneuf of the Toronto Maple Leafs is certainly worth the invite and is definitely an underrated commodity in Toronto, but this doesn’t mean he should make the team. Marc-Edouard Vlasic of the San Jose Sharks, on the other hand, has a few people who have advocated for his inclusion on the team but he is probably the less likely of the Sharks defenders to make the team. That leaves two Olympic veterans: Jay Bouwmeester of the St.Louis Blues and Dan Boyle of the San Jose Sharks. While both are still serviceable players at the NHL level it is unlikely that either will be in red and white come February. Unless one of them gets traded to Detroit.
As for snubs there are always a few with a Canadian defensive corps as deep as the current one. Probably the biggest one is that of Dan Girardi. In fact, if he was included in the camp I would probably have him playing the eight defenseman role that his teammate Marc Staal currently inhabits. Another somewhat surprising exclusion is veteran Francois Beauchemin who was in the Norris Trophy conversation for most of the year.
It may be likely that the defense will be forced to compensate for other positions, notably the goaltending, in Sochi. It could end up being the key to the entire tournament. But with this group in place, playing to their maximum potential, Canada should be almost impossible to beat.
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