Quote:
Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug
Monahan is great, but I don't think he would make it, unless as a reserve/injury replacement. The Canadian depth is just amazing.
The D is what I find most interesting. There are not nearly as many "locks" as in prior years. Ignoring lefty/righty for the moment, are the following locks?:
Pietrangelo
Burns
Doughty
Letang
Plenty of offense, but perhaps a little long in the tooth. Would the rest skew a little younger/more physical, or has the game changed enough you go with full on speed?
Hamilton
Reilly
Chabot
Theodore
Morrissey
Ekblad
Ellis
Subban
Brodie
Dumba
Makar?
I mean I think they would at least garner consideration. Gio should have a chance. Probably missed a bunch more as well.
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As the reigning Norris winner who was snubbed on the 2016 WC roster (Muzzin? #### off), I think Gio would've been a shoe-in for this team.
If they were to prioritize partners the way they have in the past, Brodie would have a shot, at least. There's no doubt in my mind that he could hang in that tournament, given that it's going to be nothing but skill and skating.
Canada, logically, takes veteran D to tournaments like these. They don't need someone like Makar to come in on the powerplay. They have fourteen 1st line forwards, they have no space for a defenseman who isn't a Norris-calibre player in his own end. Doughty made the team in 2010 because he was already that good a defender.
I'm probably remiss in keeping Burns off my earlier list - there's no way Dougie makes the team ahead of him.