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Toronto Maple Leafs: Projecting a 2020 World Cup Team Canada Roster

By Jordan Maresky

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 05: #4 Tyson Barrie (CAN) celebrates his goal with teammates during the Ice Hockey World Championship between Czech Republic and Canada at AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, on May 05, 2017. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 05: #4 Tyson Barrie (CAN) celebrates his goal with teammates during the Ice Hockey World Championship between Czech Republic and Canada at AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, on May 05, 2017. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 17: Alex Pietrangelo #27 of Team Canada celebrates his third period goal agaist Team Czech Republic and is joined by Drew Doughty . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 17: Alex Pietrangelo #27 of Team Canada celebrates his third period goal agaist Team Czech Republic and is joined by Drew Doughty . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Defense

Alex Pietrangelo – Drew Doughty

The number one defense pair for Team Canada will include two of the best two-way defensemen in the league. Drew Doughty is a former Norris winner and a four-time finalist. Alex Pietrangelo, while never placing in the top-3 of Norris voting, will surely be there this year. He was also 6th in defensemen scoring this season (stats; NHL.com).

Dougie Hamilton – Shea Weber

Had he not gotten injured, Dougie Hamilton may have been the unanimous Norris winner this year. Up until his injury, Hamilton was 4th in d-scoring and had a better plus-minus than Norris front-runners Roman Josi and John Carlson. Shea Weber had a nice bounce-back season this year and has represented Team Canada on many occasions before.

Morgan Rielly – Cale Makar

Morgan Rielly had one of the best scoring seasons by a defensemen last year. He finished with 20 goals and 72 points (stats; NHL.com) and finally broke out as the dynamic defensemen he has proven to be.

Arguably the favourite for the Calder Trophy, Cale Makar did not just have one of the best seasons as a rookie defensemen this year – it was a fantastic season by a defensemen period. He finished 7th in even-strength points and will most likely take home the Calder Trophy come seasons end.

Canada could employ some of the best defensemen in the league, making them a powerhouse at both ends of the ice.

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