Possible reasons Subban left off Team Canada

[CrypTic]

Yeah last season when the Preds were a contender, like they are again this season. If there's one team I really trust when evaluating defensemen it's the Nashville Predators AINEC. Hamhuis, Weber, Klein, Suter, Josi, Ekholm, Jones, Ellis. They knew what they were doing trading Weber.

I trust Nashville's evaluation about the Weber-Subban trade too. But that doesn't mean that they think that Subban is a better defenseman right now.

E.g., I think last season Thornton was one of the best centers in the NHL. He had the second most points after Crosby (85/80 vs 82/82), the 6th/7th highest cf% among centers (behind Shore, Kopitar, Datsyuk, Ribeiro, Hertl, and was tied with Carter), the 4th highest Corsi for% relTM among centers (behind Bergeron, Datsyuk, and Shore), the 4th lowest corsi against/60 among centers (behind Datsyuk, Kopitar, and Ribeiro), and the 5th lowest CA/60 relTM (behind Bergeron, Shore, Datsyuk, Koivu). So, not only is he excellent offensively, he's great defensively and in terms of possession. He played against top lines. Except for several games when he was pretty clearly playing with an injury, he looked excellent. But I'd trade him in a heartbeat for a younger player who I thought was slightly worse right now but would probably play well for more years than Thornton. That would be especially true for a team like Nashville that has many core/coreish players who are younger than Weber.

This doesn't mean that they think Weber is better than Subban right now but it's not evidence that they think Subban is better than Weber right now (which is what Team Canada cares about) or that they think Subban would be better for the way that Team Canada is designed to play than Subban. I don't think it's fair to use that trade either way as evidence for which player would be better on TC.

 

[Burke the Legend]

Canada has enough talent up front that they don't really want or need their D-men being aggressive. You have line after line of prime age 80+ point all stars overwhelming the other team, why have your D-men take a risk and jump out of position and possibly give up a golden scoring opportunity to the opposition?

I think Subban is a bit underrated defensively, he has done fine in the playoffs, but the fact that he was just traded in part because the Canadiens were tired of him forcing plays. A guy like Vlasic is arguably even steadier at defence, and has a lot more experience in sitting back and supporting all-star forwards, he really is starting to find his groove there.

 

[DearDiary]

Canada has enough talent up front that they don't really want or need their D-men being aggressive. You have line after line of prime age 80+ point all stars overwhelming the other team, why have your D-men take a risk and jump out of position and possibly give up a golden scoring opportunity to the opposition?

I think Subban is a bit underrated defensively, he has done fine in the playoffs, but the fact that he was just traded in part because the Canadiens were tired of him forcing plays. A guy like Vlasic is arguably even steadier at defence, and has a lot more experience in sitting back and supporting all-star forwards, he really is starting to find his groove there.

The problem isn't D not jumping into the play, it's the lack of speed in transition. Canada's D aren't moving the puck quick enough for the talented forwards

 

[MXD]

The problem isn't D not jumping into the play, it's the lack of speed in transition. Canada's D aren't moving the puck quick enough for the talented forwards

...They pass the puck ahead instead. Which is faster than skating.

If anything, it's the capacity of the forwards to enter the O-zone while controlling the puck that makes Subban not necessary.

 

[malkshake]

Letang would fit this team so well he should be there.

 

[Confucius]

Remember Subban only played 11 minutes in 1 game and it was against Switzerland at Sochi. I guess Babcock just doesn't like his style.

 

[chauron]

You shouldnt care or debate about this... you have a good team with great defensemen. Just sit back, relax and enjoy.

 

[Machinehead]

Remember Subban only played 11 minutes in 1 game and it was against Switzerland at Sochi. I guess Babcock just doesn't like his style.

But Babcock is a possession guy, that's why I find so odd about it.

 

[Kimota]

Babcock is a pretty conservative guy.