We now know who will be replacing Duncan Keith on Canada’s 2016 World Cup roster and it’s a puzzling decision.
Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday that St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester will replace Keith on the roster. In a press release, team Canada GM Doug Armstrong said Bouwmeester was added to ensure roster continuity and to gain experience.
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“First and foremost, we want to wish Duncan the best in his continued rehabilitation, and welcome Jay to the team,” said Doug Armstrong, general manager for Team Canada. “Our management team and coaching staff felt it was critical to ensure continuity between the number of left- and right-handed defencemen on our roster, and Jay’s experience with what it takes to be successful in these short tournaments can’t be undervalued.”
Bouwmeester has accumulated some hockey hardware in his career, winning Olympic Gold in 2014, playing on Canada’s World Cup-winning team in 2004 and appearing in three IIHF World Junior tourneys. The 32-year-old has been known as a balanced defenseman, capable of playing top-pair minutes. With all those accolades and experience he should be the top pick, right?
No. Team Canada made a boneheaded decision.
Bouwmeester simply isn’t the defenseman he once was. Yes, he logs big minutes with the Blues but he’s providing little return on his ice time. Bouwmeester was prominently paired with Alex Pietrangelo at even-strength, producing a 49.9 Corsi For percent in relatively unsheltered minutes. Pietrangelo finished at 51.0 percent and a 53.8 percent marker when not paired with him. Across the board, teammates posted a higher possession rate when on the ice at even strength without Bouwmeester. Sadly, Bouwmeester might be the 4th best defenseman on his own team behind Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko, and Kevin Shattenkirk. That’s apparently good enough for Team Canada.
Team Canada opted for familiarity over talent. Somehow, management thought Bouwmeester was a better choice than 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban, T.J Brodie, Kris Letang, Mark Giordano or Aaron Ekblad. Cancel out the right-handed shots, there’s still Giordano and Brodie. Bouwmeester’s selection is preposterous. There’s no rational thinking behind the move other than “he’s played with Pietrangelo, let’s get him to replace one of the best defensemen in the world, even though there are much better options available.”
Canada’s defense now consists of Bouwmeester, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, Alex Pietrangelo, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Shea Weber. Without a doubt, the group is strong – but it could be elite. Switch out Weber or Bouwmeester with one of Subban, Letang or Giordano and Canada’s defense is much more dynamic. Canada’s d-core is by no means screwed, but management is missing out by going the safe route.
Bouwmeester won’t be the single reason Canada loses the tournament. It doesn’t mean his selection isn’t baffling, however. If someone in the group gets injured and he’s thwarted into action, team Canada’s defense takes a significant hit with his inclusion. Bouwmeester should be watching the World Cup, not playing in it.
