by Blain Potvin, Staff Writer, All Habs Magazine

HALIFAX, NS. ––   Sadly, instead of writing about Montreal’s first round playoff victim, I will focus on the Worlds.  As, this is what players like P.K. Subban will be doing once their NHL seasons end, much too soon this April.  They will be using the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship as a showcase for their talents.

For a variety of reasons there are many Team Canada fans who would rather not have Subban join the team in Russia.  My question every time I hear this is “why?” Why wouldn’t P.K. be on their team?

Subban is a high energy player, a true top pairing defenceman, so why isn’t he already considered as a shoo-in for a roster spot?   Is it because he is seen as a high risk player?   If so, why isn’t Erik Karlsson‘s inclusion on Team Sweden in doubt?

Is it that there may be better choices for Team Canada on the right side of the blueline?  If so, who?  As any right-handed defenceman that have been named ahead of him to the World Cup Of Hockey roster are all on teams in playoff positions at this time.  Perhaps it is based on a perception of Subban’s personality?  If that is the case, why, as by many accounts he is liked by his teammates past and present.

His play can be prone to occasional errors, which is normal for someone playing 30 minutes per game.  These errors are usually corrected immediately using his elite skating abilities.  However, in my mind, he can easily be considered to be near the top of all NHL defenceman.

He is a complete defenceman as he can clear his zone with aplomb, he can skillfully move the puck up to the highly talented forwards that will play for Canada, and he can quarterback a power-play, kill penalties and effortlessly play substantial minutes.  His skating abilities and on-ice vision are perfectly suited for the larger ice surfaces where this tournament will be played.

Some have argued that Subban can be detrimental in a short tournament.  Yet he has played for Canada in the U-17’s, has won two gold medals as a key member of the World Junior team, and won gold as a member of Team Canada in Sochi.

And, yes Subban is a big game player; he had his coming out party in the 2011 playoffs and has continually shown he is more than able to step his game up in big games as we saw in the 2014 playoffs against Boston.  So at every level, in every league, Subban has proven himself.  If GM Doug Armstrong is unsure of him, having Hockey Canada name him to the team would be the perfect audition for Subban.  It allows him a marquee role in international competition to gauge what he can really do in a short tournament.

So why isn’t he guaranteed to be on Team Canada in May for the World Championships?

This leaves all Habs fans wondering why is it that Subban continues to prove he is worthy of a place on any team at any level and wonder why P.K. is the NHL’s version of Rodney Dangerfield as he gets no respect.