Team Canada's roster for the Four Nations Faceoff was released Wednesday evening, and there was a familiar pattern to it. As in previous top tournaments, the Canadians will use familiarity and consistency when making their lineup for this short tournament.
This pattern goes back to the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Players who played together, internationally or in the same team, are listed.
There was a reason Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith were on Canada's Olympic team. Or why Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis did it in 2014 even though they were on different teams. Similarly, in the forward positionwhy Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchandagain Sidney Crosby why do you play together?
GROUP IN CANADA
Forward
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning), Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins), Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers) , Mitch Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs), Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning), Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights), Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers), Travis Konecny (Philadelphia Flyers), Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes)
If you look at Team Canada's forward line, Point, Hagel, and Cirelli all won the Stanley Cup together. They understand what it takes to win in shortstop, like Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett. Those two players just won the Stanley Cup with Florida last year.
It was important for Canada to have these guys who can play in the dirt. Why do you think Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf made the Canadian Olympic team in 2010 and 2014? Same with Chris Kunitz? Familiarity is important.
Crosby and Marchand are there because of their experience playing in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Throw in MacKinnon, who coaches with these guys, and the continuity is there.
Also, look at the blue line.
Self defense
Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche), Shea Theodore (Vegas Golden Knights), Alex Pietrangelo (Vegas Golden Knights), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues)
However, the pattern holds true for Team Canada's defense. Devon Toews and Cale Makar are the defensive duo with the Colorado Avalanche, so they were brought in to play together. Likewise, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo are the mainstays for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Looking back at what Steve Yzerman did as Team Canada's GM during the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, when Canada won gold, there are consistent and common defensive issues. The chemistry is already there. You also want veteran guys where they can play in all situations.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Binington (St. Louis Blues), Adin Hill (Vegas Golden Knights), Sam Montembeault (Montreal Canadiens)
The goalkeepers know these players, and they will protect well. However, they will also be asked to stop the puck. Hill won the trophy playing behind Pietrangelo and Theodore. Binnington won the trophy playing behind Parayko. Montembeault guided Canada to the World Championship not long ago.
Team Canada's combination of youth and experience at the Four Nations Faceoff is good, but for the most part, management has followed the pattern set by Hockey Canada at the Olympics, World Juniors, and World Championships, bringing in guys who can't match up right away with each other. some and have continuity.
That's what wins you in these short tournaments. The Four Nations Faceoff will be a small competition between the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. It is currently scheduled for February 12 to 20 at the Bell Center in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston.
The two teams with the best tournament record following Round Robin play will advance to the one-game Final.
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