Underrated Leafs Player Makes a Strong Case for Team Canada After Final Roster Is Submitted

The 4 Nations Face-Off is a new tournament to replace the World Cup of Hockey, last played in 2016. Canada, Sweden, Finland, and the United States are in the midst of finalizing their rosters, with announcements scheduled for Dec. 4.

It's a tournament to determine the best of the best and while each team would want to load their team up with stars, one underrated Leafs defenseman has made a very strong case for a roster spot.

The perfect addition to Team Canada would be Chris Tanev, one of the league's most elite shutdown defenders and someone they should be making room for on their squad.

It's hard to argue why Tanev doesn't deserve a spot. His consistency and ability to eliminate the opponents' top stars is crucial for any team's success. He's transformed the Maple Leafs defense and is 2nd in the league with 74 blocked shots; he's a warrior who doesn't let a few pucks take him out.

Maple Leafs analyst JD Bunkis also believes that Tanev deserves a spot on the roster. Speaking with Sam McKee of Real Kyper and Bourne, Bunkis and McKee discussed the probability of Tanev making the team:

Tanev, along with the 74 blocked shots also has fantastic advanced metrics. His career Corsi% shorthanded is 45.9; which is a great number for a defenseman (50% or higher means the team was controlling the puck with him on the ice), especially on the penalty kill.

Also for his career, he has a 90.2 oiSV%; meaning while he doesn't stop every shot from getting through, the ones that do get through aren't high-danger chances, and more often than not his team comes out unscathed. It's the little things he does that make him a great player.

It's the intangibles mixed with the obvious shot-blocking that makes him a deadly defender on the ice, and Team Canada can only benefit from the caliber of player Tanev is.

In closing, Chris Tanev has earned himself a roster spot not only because he is one of the top Canadian defensemen, but his propensity to block tons of shots, play smart hockey, and position himself correctly no matter what makes him a prime candidate to help Canada find themselves victorious.