A Look At Canada's 4 World Cup Defenders

I’m always interested to see what people’s reactions are when Team Canada releases a roster, be it for a Summer Camp or for the Olympics.

Here in Canada we are absolutely spoiled with an embarrassment of high priced talent at every single position. No matter who ends up on the final roster it will be a roster full of stars. It will also be a very controversial roster as there isn't enough space for everyone, and people will be left wondering why their favorite hockey players may have been overlooked, or snubbed, from the final roster.

However, I always feel like there’s a bigger story than the players that get overlooked. Looking at the players that did end up making the team, their abilities and the way they play the game, can give you some insight to the type of team that management is trying to build.

It may also bring some answers as to why your hometown hero didn’t make the final roster.

Teams are rarely just a collection of the most talented players. I remember a time in the late 90’s when the New York Rangers continually bought some of the most talented player’s money could buy, only to miss the playoffs 9 years in a row. It’s risky and can be a recipe for disaster.

I find a team will usually try to find the right players to fill a certain roles on the roster. It’s not always the most talented players, or the sexiest names, or even the right decisions, but that’s why they play the games.

Take Jeff Carter for example. For me, he’s the guy who sticks out like a sore thumb as far as Canada's group of forwards go.

Now don’t get me wrong. Jeff Carter is an extremely talented player. He’s a first line center on probably 2/3rds of the teams in the NHL and has represented Canada very well in the past. But if Team Canada was assembling the 9 most talented forwards with a Canadian passport, then I can think of a few players who, in my opinion, are more skilled than Jeff Carter that were left off of the roster.

So what does Jeff Carter’s addition to the roster mean?

Jeff Carter is a strong candidate to be shifted to the wing, with his size and ability to protect the puck. He plays a strong two-way game and can play a shut role that would complement someone like Jonathon Toews very well. He also gives the team flexibility in case injuries arise or the team ends up feeling more comfortable moving a player like Tyler Seguin on the wing.  (Right now, for me the 4 centers are Crosby, Seguin, Toews, Getzlaf)

So while Jeff Carter isn’t the most talented player available with the sexiest stat-line, he gives Team Canada flexibility with their last 5 forward spots, while filling an important role on the team.

Is he the right player for the role? I’m not sure, but we are definitely going to find out. 

I, personally, would have picked Claude Giroux as I feel he brings a lot of the same qualities in his game that Carter brings, however, he brings it in a smaller package. What Giroux gives up in size he more than makes up for in skill. But I can see why Doug Armstrong and co. went the direction they did. After all, Jeff Cater is a damned good hockey player.

Let's turn our attention to Canada's group of defenders. I’m going to start with the top 2 because they’re the easiest to analyze.

Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty are, by far, Canada’s 2 best defensemen. Their potential to show up in big games is immense and their ability to shut down the oppositions best players while still being among the top point producers for defensemen is flat out fucking impressive. Honestly if you don’t think these 2 are Canada’s best defenders right now then me and the 5 Stanley Cup rings that these 2 players have combined for over the last 6 years are just going to have to disagree with you.

See, that was pretty easy.

Which brings us to the next 2 on the list. 

A surprise to some, Marc Eduard Vlasic was named as one of Canada’s top 4 defenders.

He is one of the most, if not THE most, underrated defensemen in the league. If I had to use 1 word to describe him it would be ‘steady’. This is an elite defender who regularly shuts down some of the best, and biggest, players in the league. He gets the job done in a calm and efficient manner. He's not a sexy pick and he's not without his weaknesses but he plays a versatile, mistake free game and is a player who can compliment any number of defensemen. He's also a left handed shot and gives Canada flexibility on the back end.

I would also like to remind everyone that Vlasic was in Canada's top 4 at the last Olympics. A team that is arguably the best defensive team that Canada has ever iced.

Next you have Shea Weber. His addition to this list is a surprise to no one. The man is a big, nasty defender with a monster shot from the point. One of the best defenders in the game today, he has easily earned his spot on this team with years of consistent, elite level play.

Now that we've looked a little at what each defenseman brings, I want to take a look at one of the more controversial names that was left off of the list.

P.K. Subban.

The biggest complaint I hear from P.K supporters is that he's more talented than Marc Eduard Vlasic, so how could Canada bring Vlasic over Subban?

I don’t think that’s a fair question and I honestly think you’re barking up the wrong tree if that’s the question you’re asking.

Canada’s management team has shown that they want to have a balanced roster. 2 of the defenders named are righties (Weber and Doughty) and 2 are lefties(Keith and Vlasic). Between Weber and Vlasic, one is a big, powerful defender with a cannon of a shot and the other is a smart, versatile two-way defender who plays a clam defense first game.

And so I ask you, which one of those descriptions sounds more like P.K. Subban?

It’s not enough to just say that P.K. Subban is a more talented player than Vlasic because Vlasic isn’t fulfilling the role on Team Canada that Subban would fill. Shea Weber fills that role. Vlasic is the perfect partner to pair with a Weber or a Subban that allows them to fully embrace their game and take some chances.

P.K. Subban wear’s his heart on his sleeve, plays with a ton of emotion and passion and leaves it all on the ice. I have a lot of respect for players who do that. But one also has to admit that he plays a high risk game, and with that kind of style comes the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

I really like P.K. Subban but if I had to choose between him and Shea Weber for a 2 week tournament I would take Weber over him 10 times out of 10 at the moment.

That's not a knock against Subban. It's just extremely high praise for Weber. 

Canada is extremely deep on defenders, especially with right handed defenseman. Which is funny because there are a lot of NHL teams who would give their left testicle for a right handed top 4 defender. But Weber is the steadier of the 2 defenders defensively while bringing a lot of the same traits that P.K. brings offensively. Weber may not be as dynamic as P.K., but he can be just as effective.

I understand feeling like your home town hockey hero may have been overlooked when they don't make the final roster. Hell, I'm a big Flames fan, so you bet your ass I want to see Brodie and Giordano representing Team Canada. I'm already really excited to see Gaudreau, Monahan and Frolik play for their respective teams. But there are a lot of very good hockey players in this country and it's completely understandable if 1, or both, don't end up on the final roster.

The fact that Brodie and Giordano are even being mentioned in the same breathe as these elite defenders is very exciting and it brings me a lot of hope for the future of the Calgary Flames.

No matter who Canada decides gets to represent our country, this is going to be a very fun tournament to watch, and I can't wait to take it all in.