Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs Making a Strong Case for Chris Tanev to Make Team Canada
Toronto Maple Leafs players and coach Craig Berube are rallying around defenceman Chris Tanev to be Alex Pietrangelo's replacement at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Recent news that Alex Pietrangelo will miss the 4 Nations Face-Off has opened up a huge opportunity for Chris Tanev, and his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates and coach are pushing hard for it to happen.
Team Canada has yet to name Alex Pietrangelo's replacement for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and there are many potential names to choose from -- Tanev among them.
Despite only being with the Leafs for a little over half a season, Tanev has won the appreciation of his teammate and coach Craig Berube, who stressed that Tanev's knack for consistency is what makes him so good.
Tanev, who was recently dubbed a goalie's dream by a rival netminder should get serious consideration to make Team Canada, according to Berube.
"He'd be a great fit. I mean, looking at their lineup and everything, and what Tanny brings, Petro brings a lot of that too. With the penalty killing and the shutdown stuff - Tanny, that's his baby. He's very good at that role, so it would probably be a good fit for him."
Teammate William Nylander noted Tanev's leadership and what it would bring to the 4 Nations Face-Off, while Mitch Marner, who would be Tanev's Team Canada teammate if he makes it, said it's hard to overstate his value.
"He means a lot to this team overall, just the calmness he brings on the ice with the puck and obviously what he does defensively, I mean, he plays against the best people every night, usually starts in the D zone, and is always up for the challenge," said Marner.
While Tanev himself isn't making any kind of public plea to be named to Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off, he made it clear that he would absolutely go if he got the call.
The NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off gets underway on Feb. 12 with Canada vs Sweden, and USA vs Finland.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 30 | 1449 ANSWERS Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs Making a Strong Case for Chris Tanev to Make Team Canada Should the Maple Leafs' Chris Tanev replace Alex Pietrangelo on Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off? | ||
| Yes | 891 | 61.5 % |
| No | 405 | 28 % |
| Not sure | 153 | 10.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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