Team Canada 2014 – Predicting The Defensemen & Goalies

This Tuesday, Hockey Canada GM Steve Yzerman and his staff will reveal the names of the 25 players on the preliminary roster for the upcoming Olympic Games in Sochi.  About 10 months ago I gave my preliminary roster one year out, and then on July 1st I updated it after the season.

January 31, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) moves the puck against the defense of Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber (6) during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Granted, my team is not the same as the team I think the management group would pick, so I over the next day or so I will name who I think will be named to the team.

I will start with the Defensemen & Goalies. (note:  You can now see my forwards here)

There will be 8 defensemen named, although the team can only dress 7 in games.

Here are the expected choices:

Pairing 1

Shea Weber, NSH  & Drew Doughty, LA

Dec 27, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman

(6) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Predators 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 30, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman

(8) is pursued by Chicago Blackhawks left wing

(29) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

This pairing provides it all…mobility, shot, puck awareness, defensive respinsability and experience.  Both were a part of the 2010 Gold Medal winning club.

Pairing 2

Duncan Keith, CHI & Brent Seabrook, CHI

Jun 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman

(7) celebrates with defenseman

(2) after scoring the game-winning goal against the Boston Bruins during the overtime period in game four of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

This duo plays together on a nightly basis and are the cornerstone of the club that has won 2 Stannley Cups in the last 4 years. Keith leads all defensemen in scoring and is the leading candidate for the Norris Trophy at the midway point of the season.  Familiarity is one reason Seabrook makes it, but both were on the 2010 squad and Seabrook is more than capable of holding his own.

Pairing 3

Alex Pietrangelo, STL & Jay Bouwmeester, STL

Nov 7, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie

(1) celebrates with teammates center

(42) and defenseman

(19) and defenseman

(27) after defeating the Calgary Flames at Scottrade Center. St. Louis defeated Calgary 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Another regular season pairing that has familiarity with each other, as well as pedigree.  Bouwmeester excels on big ice. and Pietrangelo is one of the young up and comers in Canadian hockey.  Bouwmeester was left off the 2010 roster but was on the taxi squad in case of injury.

7th & 8th Defensemen

P.K. Subban  & Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Jan 2, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

(76) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Subban scores a goal in the second. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Subban is the reigning Norris Trophy winner and although he plays a hig-risk game, as the 7th defenseman he can be used in situations when needed and not in situations where his high risk-high reward style will hurt the team.  He is outgoing and likes the spotlight and will not wilt under the pressure of the Olympics.

Nov 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman

(44) on defense during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at SAP Center at San Jose. Sharks won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Vlasic, on the other hand is the anti-Subban.  He is steady and just goes about his job, making safe plays and doesn’t need the adulation.  He is more of a defensive presence and can chip in offensively.

I am not sure which of the two would be #7, who would get in the lineup first and who would be there in case of injury.  I would think that the defensive stopper might be more in demand so Vlasic might get the nod.

Other potential candidates:

December 31, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman

(22) moves the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Boyle – Would be the veteran of the group if he was named, and there is a case to be made for the experience he would bring, but he is getting up there and being a minus player on a very good team doesn’t help his cause.

Dec 19, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman

(2) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Dallas Stars defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Hamhuis – His defensive ablilty is solid and it would be a toss-up between him and Vlasic for that role.  Hamhuis is a Team Canada veteran (2 world juniors and 5 world championships) and is experienced on the big ice.

THE GOALTENDERS

Carey Price, MTL

Jan 2, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie

(31) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Canadiens workhorse is going to be either the starter or the backup.  By numbers alone he is probably the odds on favorite to start, and he has the memory of the standout 2007 World Junior performance in people’s memory

Mike Smith, PHX

Jan 2, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie

(41) makes a save during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Although his numbers are not the greatest, he seems to have the inside track on the #3 job

Other Candidates

Dec 29, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie

(37) gives up a goal to New York Islanders forward

(not pictured) during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Islanders defeated the Wild 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Harding, MIN – It is tough to argue with his season-long numbers, but the health concerns and the trip to Sochi might be too much for him to take, no matter how well he has played this season.

Dec 31, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie

(29) makes a save during the third period at the Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Penguins 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT – Two playoff meltdowns in two seasons doesn’t speak well for his ability under pressure, although he was the 3rd goalie in Vanvouver.