These are great points that are being overlooked by most. As long as the puck isn't going in the net, Slavin's heroics were fun to watch, and the Slavin-Faber pairing did somewhat limit Canada's top lines (it helped them that McDavid was struggling so much), but let's not pretend that this was winning hockey. Those two were getting hemmed in plenty, and if not for Slavin's plays or Hellebuyck's saves, that pairing would be seen in a different light. And to top it off, it can't be discounted that those two are a black hole offensively. They brought next to nothing to the offensive side of the game. It was simply get the puck out of the defensive zone. Against skilled players they don't have the offensive skills to move the puck and make plays. I don't think we can go tot he Olympics with one pairing that simply isn't effective on the offensive side of the puck. We still have trouble scoring goals in the biggest games. 1 or 2 goals simply doesn't cut it.
Analytically and visually, Slavin was carrying his pairing, and Faber was just ok. Since he was playing against tough competition, his overall numbers weren't good, but you have to adjust for it. I'd like to see Faber fighting for a roster spot next year. He hasn't automatically earned it yet. Fox was more disappointing in my view because of the higher standards, and I'd put in the same boat as Faber. I think both are borderline for a roster spot. Hanafin would definitely be off the roster. There's some guys left off this year that deserve a shot. Pionk, Jones, Carlson--there's more right shot D-men out there.
