TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button and TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson joined forces to put together the best possible roster for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Faceoff Tournament in February.

After selecting the 13 attackers, led by superstars Connor McDavid And Nathan Mackinnonthey now focus on the blue line and the goals to see who will be responsible for neutralizing the best that the United States, Sweden and Finland have to offer.

Here are the seven defensemen and three goaltenders they selected for Team Canada.

Best pair: Devon Toews–Cale Makar

The first duo for Canada will be the best duo in the Colorado Avalanche In Cale Makar And Devon Toews.

The duo has been together for several years now and played an integral role in the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022.

Makar became one of the best defenders in the world at 25 years old. At the NHL level, he won the Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy and Calder Trophy, while being named an All-Star three years in a row.

Toews has recorded three consecutive seasons in which he scored at least 50 points and has become one of the best defensemen since arriving via trade from the New York Islanders in 2020.

Last season, Makar played an average of 24:46 minutes on ice, closely followed by Toews with 23:26 minutes.

Second pair: Josh Morrissey–Evan Bouchard

The second duo for Canada includes two defenders who play in Western Canada, in Winnipeg. Josh Morrissey and that of Edmonton Evan Bouchard.

Morrissey, who was drafted 13th overall by the Jets in 2013, took a big step forward in 2022-23 when he tallied 76 points in 78 games, breaking his previous career high of 37. He then followed up with 69 points last season. .

On a Jets blue line that has seen many changes over the years, Morrissey has been a consistent figure, averaging over 24 minutes of ice time over the past few seasons.

Bouchard’s breakthrough came last season as he became the Oilers’ most important defenseman. He exploded with 18 goals and 82 points in 81 games and had six points and 32 points during their playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final.

After averaging 23 minutes of ice time last season, that number has jumped this season to nearly 25 minutes.

Third pairing: Shea Théodore–Noah Dobson
Additional: Chris Tanev

Canada’s third pairing includes its youngest defenseman at 24 years old. Noah Dobson alongside a reliable veteran in Shea Théodore.

Dobson became the number one defender with the New York Islandersaveraging just over 24 minutes this season. Last year, he broke out with 70 points in 79 games. He is in his sixth NHL season after being selected 12th overall by the Islanders in 2018.

Theodore just signed a seven-year extension to stay in Vegas. An original Gold Knight after being selected in the 2017 expansion draft, he became one of Vegas’ best defensemen, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2023.

The seventh defender in the group is Chris Tanev of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Having signed a six-year contract with the team in free agency, Tanev has been one of the most stable defenders in the game since joining the team. Vancouver Canucks in 2011. He has averaged just over 19 minutes of ice time over the past three seasons.

Goalkeepers: Jordan Binnington, Hill AdinSamuel Montembeault

The question of who would be Canada’s goalie in a “best versus best” competition has been asked since Carey Prize‘s knee injury ended his playing career in 2022.

Jordan Binnington supported the St. Louis Blues to the franchise’s only Stanley Cup title in 2019 as a rookie. In 57 games last season, he was 28-21-5 with a .913 save percentage and a 2.84 goals-against average.

After spending the first part of his career bouncing between the NHL and AHL, Hill Adin established himself as a regular at Vegas Golden Knights. Injuries paved the way for Hill in 2022-23 as he helped Vegas win the Stanley Cup that season. In 35 appearances last season, he was 19-12-2 with a .909 save percentage and a 2.71 GAA.

Samuel Montembeault plays behind a very young Montreal Canadiens team. Last year was his best yet, posting a .903 save percentage and 3.14 GAA. Montembeault impressed at the World Championships in 2023, helping Canada win gold with a 6-1 record and .939 save percentage and 1.42 GAA.

Building Team Canada piece by piece: Defense and goaltending