Hockey Canada and P.K. Subban

So what gives? While it has yet to be made official it appears as though Hockey Canada has decided to leave Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban off their list of 16 players they will announce as locks to represent Team Canada at this summer’s much-anticipated World Cup of Hockey. Sorry but with all due respect to general manager Doug Armstrong and the rest of Canada’s brain trust, not including the flamboyant and absurdly talented rearguard on that list would be an absolute farce.

https://twitter.com/MacSapintosh/status/704707401547587584

There is no question that there are more than enough skilled hockey players from this country to create two great teams, if not three, that would be good enough to compete in such a tournament. While that is all well and good, does it not seem rather peculiar that the guy who seems to be nothing more than an afterthought on Canada’s wish-list of potential participants is also the guy who is widely considered to be one of the very best at his position in the game today? In fact, there are those who are suggesting the former second-round pick may not even make the final cut for a roster spot.

Like It Or Not, Subban Is An Elite Defenceman

Outside of possibly Drew Doughty and Duncan Keith, there is no better Canadian defenceman currently playing in the NHL than Subban and yet he will likely not be part of Wednesday’s festivities. Really? It is not as if we are talking about a guy playing for some small market American team that no one watches in this country. He plays for the Montreal Canadiens and along with goaltender Carey Price, is the face of the most-storied franchise in league history. Someone…anyone…please explain this to me.

[Related Article: NHL Continues to Underutilize P.K. Subban]

God forbid we shine a bright light on one of the game’s few characters and a guy most hockey fans have grown to appreciate. Obviously, his shtick isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but should that really keep him from being recognized for the player that he is?  In my mind, the answer to that question is a resounding no and please spare the nonsense of the 26-year old supposedly not being a “safe enough” player. Last time I checked, Subban already has a Norris Trophy under his belt and is a far better all-around player today, than he was back in 2013.

P.K. Subban
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Hockey Canada Is Missing the Boat

So instead of having one of the league’s most recognizable faces come out and be paraded around with the rest of this country’s best players, Hockey Canada would appear to be far more comfortable having a guy such as Shea Weber make the rounds. Don’t get me wrong, the longtime Nashville Predator is still a very good player and likely deserves a spot on this team but at this stage of his career, he should not be viewed as a key figure on this roster.

{Related Article: Subban Continues to Impress Under Pressure]

To be perfectly frank, Weber is no longer even the best defenceman on his own team. That is a distinction that now belongs to Roman Josi and that gap continues to widen on a daily basis. With that being the case, one would think Hockey Canada took notice but it doesn’t appear to have had any effect in where the veteran blueliner will be slotted. However, the same rule clearly does not apply to P.K. Subban and one can only wonder as to why that is.