Ryan Wilson: Team Canada World Cup Preview Team Canada World Cup Preview

It is in Canada's best interest to shift away from a defensive approach and go with one of their biggest strengths.

not sure i agree with this. in 2014 Canada's biggest strength was the fact that the opposition never had the puck and therefore never scored. i see no need for them to open it up unless they fall behind and they went the entire tournament in Sochi without that happening.

Loving that you're covering Canada RW.

It's hard to justify not taking the same defense approach when it's mainly the same roster as last Olympics and that was arguably one of the best defensive teams ever assembled.

Damn, that is one tough looking team. This tournament is theirs to lose. Wow.

It kind of depends on whether they look at it as a glorified All star game, like Team Europe is right now, or a full on giver like Team NA is against Team Euro. Also Chara is a fag.

Link PLEASE for a non- cable subscriber ??

Link PLEASE for a non- cable subscriber ??
- marklaprise

https://www.youtube.com/w...1zOZbl58&feature=youtu.be

Reddit

https://www.youtube.com/w...1zOZbl58&feature=youtu.be

Reddit
- Pie

Thank you !

Shea Weber is not one of Canada's top d-men anymore??

He's 31, you talk like he's 40. He put up 51 damn points last year, 3rd in goals, 1st in PP goals and was top 12 in points on a mid of the pack offensive team. Top 10 on ice per game? Don't even say Letang or PK are better, i'll throw up in my mouth

Weber is fine but Letang is definitely a better player, he's probably the best all around dman in the league. He's Karlsons equal offensively and defensively just carried his team on his back to a Stanley cup. I'm not just being a homer here he's just that good. How many players on the team Canada roster are captains or alternates on their NHL squad? That's the real advantage they have, never ending leadership and professionalism.

Shea Weber is not one of Canada's top d-men anymore??

He's 31, you talk like he's 40. He put up 51 damn points last year, 3rd in goals, 1st in PP goals and was top 12 in points on a mid of the pack offensive team. Top 10 on ice per game? Don't even say Letang or PK are better, i'll throw up in my mouth
- Bo

He's starting to regress but he's still one of the best Canadian d-men and I dont care what charts say. If I had to chose between current Weber and current Letang though, I'd take current Letang no sweat. Now if it was Weber 4 or 5 years ago, I'd probably take Weber.

My main issue with the Weber/Subban trade was the age and term/contract for Weber. Not that I thought Subban was that much of a superior player. Each player is better at different things.

Shea Weber is not one of Canada's top d-men anymore??

He's 31, you talk like he's 40. He put up 51 damn points last year, 3rd in goals, 1st in PP goals and was top 12 in points on a mid of the pack offensive team. Top 10 on ice per game? Don't even say Letang or PK are better, i'll throw up in my mouth
- Bo

Letang and Subban are better. Go brush your teeth.

Weber is fine but Letang is definitely a better player, he's probably the best all around dman in the league. He's Karlsons equal offensively and defensively just carried his team on his back to a Stanley cup. I'm not just being a homer here he's just that good. How many players on the team Canada roster are captains or alternates on their NHL squad? That's the real advantage they have, never ending leadership and professionalism.
- Dcoms

come on... I'll toot Letangs horn all day long but he is not Karlsons equal offensively. He is not at all great at running a powerplay and his shot isnt near as dead on. He also should have won the Smythe in my book.

Letang and Subban are better. Go brush your teeth.
- ChrisMS

For this kind of tournament and how team Canada plays?

Subban is a risk taker, not the kind of game team Canada plays, ever.

Letang you can definetely make a case for but Weber is a much needed physical presence on defense for team Canada. And with all the "he's regressed so much in the last 3 years" we keep hearing, hell I'd consider him underrated at this point.

Unbelievable how quickly things change.

For this kind of tournament and how team Canada plays?

Subban is a risk taker, not the kind of game team Canada plays, ever.

Letang you can definetely make a case for but Weber is a much needed physical presence on defense for team Canada. And with all the "he's regressed so much in the last 3 years" we keep hearing, hell I'd consider him underrated at this point.

Unbelievable how quickly things change.
- Scabeh

physical presence is highly overrated. with teams rolling out essentially 4 top lines it will be about puck possession and controlling the o-zone... not about rubbing people out. weber isnt a bad pick but subban and letang would be better.

physical presence is highly overrated. with teams rolling out essentially 4 top lines it will be about puck possession and controlling the o-zone... not about rubbing people out. weber isnt a bad pick but subban and letang would be better.
- ChrisMS

I disagree.

So does team Canada it seems.

But what do they know huh?

I disagree.

So does team Canada it seems.

But what do they know huh?
- Scabeh

Guess we will find out...

Quotes don't seem to be working.

Anyway, a case can be made for Letang, as much as I would like to feed the dirty cheater his stick, like he did to Stalberg. He is definitely elite, but I don't see a lot of room to choose between him and Weber. And Weber's game fits Team Canada's needs a little better. He remains a defensive rock.
Subban is a liability that this team doesn't even need to consider. His upside is tremendous, but his downside is more prevalent than any other selection. Why bother to take a guy who can cause turnovers with his risky style when you have 7+ other superstars to choose from?

Mike Babcock has been showering Weber with love in interviews, he definitely sees him as his most reliable dman. But what does Mike Babcock know about hockey

Chris quotes not working but Letang averaged.92 points per game last year and Karlson averaged .93. That's as close as you get to equal.

Chris quotes not working but Letang averaged.92 points per game last year and Karlson averaged .93. That's as close as you get to equal.
- Dcoms

huh... I'd argue that has a lot to do with who each is feeding the puck to but point taken. He is just not great (not bad, but not great) at the powerplay and I can't consider him elite offensively until he gets better at that

With those stated odds it could be worth taking a flyer on Team North America for $20 bucks!