Will Garrison crack team Canada's line up if he continues at this pace?

[Noseforthenet]

Just saw the Bieksa thread and I think this was more important. Left side is where Canada is weaker, so it's a spot where Garrison might just be able to crack. So if he stays at this point pace, does he make the team?

[Pears]

I think guys like Staal, Vlasic, Alzner etc. are all ahead of Garrison on the depth chart so unless at least two of them is injured it's unlikely he'll even be the 8th defenceman.

[Absent Canuck]

I dunno man. Canada is hyper stacked at every position except goaltending.

Doughty,Keith ,Weber , Pietrangelo, Subban Bouwmeester Phaneuf Seabrook

Maybe Hamhuis makes it.

[Strawberries]

not fast enough imo

[Blömqvist]

So if Garrison stays at his point pace he will have 57 points, with 13 goals and 44 assists. Combine that with a big body at 6'2" 220 lbs, a canon of a shot (imagine Crosby feeding him, Weber, and Subban with one-timers), safe and efficient efficient puck moving, and a strong defensive play then yeah, he could possibly beat out Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, or Staal for a top 6 left side spot.

That's a big IF though...

[Horvat-is-Schneider]

Letang

Weber

pietrangelo

doughty

keith

seabrook

subban

bouwmeester

phaneuf

boyle

green

staal

vlasic

alzner

hamhuis

hamonic

methot

...

garrison

[Plum]

Not enough on his resume. They'll call it a fluke season for Garrison if he continues this because you know players like Keith, Weber, Doughty, Subban will be on the team.

[c00kies]

The left side is relatively weak with: Keith, Bouwmeester, Staal (the pirate), Hamhuis, and Vlasic.

Garrison might be a good addition because he can play both sides, which would be great for a 7th d-man.

[n00bxQb]

not fast enough imo

This

Garry is a decent skater on NHL ice, but I don't think it's good enough for international ice.

[Jai604]

Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, Garrison's mobility on international ice would be a bit of a concern.

He's a decent enough skater but he isn't what you would call a smooth-skating defenseman.

Shea Weber also is not a smooth-skating d-man but his other attributes make up for his lack of foot speed.

Looking at all the other potential candidates, you see a common trend: they are all tremendous skaters.

[-AJ-]

Garrison is playing better than Bieksa, but is still up against competition that is too stiff to make it.

[oldnews]

I dunno man. Canada is hyper stacked at every position except goaltending.

Doughty,Keith ,Weber , Pietrangelo, Subban Bouwmeester Phaneuf Seabrook

Maybe Hamhuis makes it.

I agree with the point the OP was making about Team Canada having stronger right side candidates.

Weber, Subban, Seabrook, Pietrangelo, Letang, Poughty.

Left side imo Hamhius is as good as anyone and has a very good shot of making the team along with Keith. Before the season Garrison imo was good enough - but doesn't get the recognition yet that he deserves.

Phaneuf? Give me a break. Bouwmeester? m.k. These guys get invites because of the lack of depth relative to the right side, which I think definitely gives the two Canucks a chance, particularly with an estute GM like Yzerman who I doubt will be wooed by having to appease the fanbase in Toronto.

[MLT]

I have no idea how Phaneuf is even thought of to make this team.

[oldnews]

So if Garrison stays at his point pace he will have 57 points, with 13 goals and 44 assists. Combine that with a big body at 6'2" 220 lbs, a canon of a shot (imagine Crosby feeding him, Weber, and Subban with one-timers), safe and efficient efficient puck moving, and a strong defensive play then yeah, he could possibly beat out Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, or Staal for a top 6 left side spot.

That's a big IF though...

He's also a better skater than some people in this thread realize.

I think he's probably on the outside looking in though, not because he isn't better than the majority of the left side blueliners generally pencilled in over him, but because I think there's a possibility if not probability that Canada will go with 5 right handed blueliners and 3 left.

[billabong]

No, he really doesn't

Hamhuis does because weber needs a left handed D partner that he's comfortable with

[DarthNinja]

I don't think Garrison cracks the team and he may not even get consideration. It's awesome how much depth Canada has on D to choose from (which on a side-note, Sweden has a similar "problem" in this regard).

Having said that, I think Garrison is one of the most underrated D-men in the league. I am thrilled he is on the Canucks and it was another outstanding signing by GMMG.

[boxiebrown]

I love Garrison, but it's not happening. Hamhuis has a shot though.

[THERETOOL]

I wish , but alas no ..

[DownUndaCanuck]

Vlasic is one of the best D-men in the league right now and a big reason the Sharks are playing as well as they are. He makes it ahead of Garrison.

Garrison's +/- isn't too pretty and he's been victimized a few times by fast skaters which is exactly what he'll face on a bigger, more open ice. Team Canada need to load up on fast skaters like Bouwmeester. IMO, they need to focus on who's playing well this season. Keith and Weber may have fantastic resumes, but they haven't been particularly good this season and faster skaters like Subban and Letang would be much better suited to the big ice.

[Drouin]

No, he really doesn't

Hamhuis does because weber needs a left handed D partner that he's comfortable with

Keith-Weber