Why Is P.K. Subban On Team Canada?

Don’t get me wrong, P.K. Subban probably would have been on my 25 man roster if it was me naming the team.  However, if today’s first practice in Sochi was any indication, P.K. Subban likely won’t be dressing for many games, at least off the start.  Things obviously can change a lot over the next two weeks, but it doesn’t look promising for the Habs blueliner to get much action.

Jan 28, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes forward Jiri Tlusty (19) ties up Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The telling signal for me that Subban wasn’t really a part of Team Canada’s “Plan A” was the fact that he wasn’t even participating on one of the power play units.

See, there was really no reason to select Subban apart from his ability to be a trigger-man with the man advantage.  In fact, the Canadian coaching staff had a forward manning the point on the second unit.  Patrick Sharp was utilized in the role that P.K. would probably be best suited for.

Subban was probably going to be the 7th or 8th guy anyway, but not utilizing him on one of the power play units tells me he is a firm 8 and that Dan Hamhuis will be the 7th man.

If that was the plan from the get-go, I sincerely wonder why Subban was taken ahead of Olympic veteran Brent Seabrook.  Seabrook fits into more situations and regardless of what hand he shoots, has remarkable chemistry with Duncan Keith.