Next Defenseman Added to Team Canada

Special for PuckPedia by Jonathan Davis, in partnership with Coolbet. This page contains affiliate links.

With Alex Pietrangelo’s decision to pull out of the Four Nation’s tournament, Team Canada is faced with finding someone to fill his spot on the blueline. Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings is the betting favorite (+100) and if not for breaking his ankle in a pre-season game the two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist and not to mention a Norris Trophy winner (NHL’s best defenseman) would most likely have been named to Canada’s original roster. Doughty made his return to the Los Angeles Kings on January 29 and there has been no easing him back into the lineup. He is playing an average of more than 25 minutes a game (tops among Kings defenseman) but at times he has resembled a player that looks like he hasn’t played an NHL game in more than four months. That is not criticism, it’s just fact. 

If not Doughty, then who will be the replacement for Pietrangelo? The New Jersey Devils Dougie Hamilton is next up on the odds board (+300) but when I reached out to a dozen national hockey writers and broadcasters their number one selection if it’s not Doughty, was MacKenzie Weegar (+525) of the Calgary Flames. Dougie Hamilton’s name never came up.

Weegar is a solid two-way defenseman that can play in all situations who has made it clear that he would relish the opportunity to play for his country. He has said he would gladly give up any vacation plans if it meant he could play for Team Canada. If you are looking for a longshot, Chris Tanev (+1400) is someone to consider. One of the people I reached out to said to me that he was told, Tanev is the guy.

Here is how I would spread out my wagers based on one unit equaling $100.
Drew Doughty (+100) – Wager $150.00 to win $150.00
MacKenzie Weegar (+525) – Wager $50.00 to win $262.50
Chris Tanev (+1400) – Wager $25.00 to win $ 350.00    

If Drew Doughty is the player selected, then you would earn a profit of $75.00. If MacKenzie Weegar earns the spot on the blueline, then your net profit is $87.50 and a Chris Tanev selection would bring back the biggest return, $150. 

Future Bets

I believe that this is a tournament that will be won by Canada or the USA, the two shortest shots on the board. With that in mind wagering on Canada to win (+160) or USA (+175) has very little interest and value to me as a bettor. Instead, I will target some player & team top goalscorer props. Keep in mind that we still don’t know line combinations and what players will be on the top power play units, which is something you should consider for any player props.

Team Canada – Brayden Point (+500) leads the Lightning this season with 29 goals and led the Bolts in goals in their past two Stanley Cup victories with 14. Looking further down on the board, Mark Stone (+1400) has value to me. Stone was second on the Knights in goals (11) behind Jonathan Marchesseault (13) in their cup winning season.

Team USA – It’s hard to pass on Auston Matthews (+275) to lead the team in scoring but I will go first with the next shortest shot on the board and go with Jack Hughes (+650) of the New Jersey Devils. Hughes 23 goals is second on the Devils and second most among USA born players on the roster. The leader in goals among USA born players is Jake Guentzel and he is my longshot pick. At (+1200) there is tremendous value.

Team Sweden – I don’t see a path where Sweden wins the tournament but Adrian Kempe to lead the team in goals at (10/1) looks very juicy. He thrives in big games, scoring nine goals in the LA Kings last 11 playoff games.
My favorite play on the board also involves Team Sweden and that is which goalie starts game one. Filip Gustavsson is the favorite (-225) but for me, the net will belong to Linus Ullmark. Ullmark is back from injury and combined with the inconistent play of Gustavsson, I believe this is a no-brainer. Gustavsson (+175) to start game one.

Team Finland – Roope Hintz (10/1) to lead the team in goals.