Why Craig Berube Believes Maple Leafs' Chris Tanev Would Be 'Great Fit' To Replace Alex Pietrangelo On Canada's 4 Nations Roster

As the clock ticks down to puck drop at the 4 Nations Face-Off in mid-Febraury, questions remain about who might fill Alex Pietrangelo's spot on defense.

The 35-year-old pulled out of the tournament, citing that with a break, he'd be able to return to full health for the Vegas Golden Knights ahead of the postseason. There have been several names inserted into the running to replace Pietrangelo at the tournament, including Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev.

On Wednesday, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked about Tanev's play this season and whether the defenseman could fill the void of Pietrangelo, who's been one of the league's top defenders for a long time.

After spending several years in St. Louis with Pietrangelo, Berube admitted that the two veteran defensemen share a similar style of play.

"He'd be a great fit, Toronto's head coach said of Tanev replacing Pietrangelo.

"Looking at their lineup and everything, and what Taney brings, Petro brings a lot of that too with the penalty killing and the shutdown stuff. Tanny, that's his baby. He's very good at that both. So it would be probably a good fit for him."

When asked on Tuesday if he's paid much attention to the possibility of joining Team Canada's 4 Nations roster, Tanev said: "Whatever happens, happens. Just focused on in here right now and sort of setting ourselves up the last five games before the break happens."

The 35-year-old leads the NHL in blocked shots this season with 132, 10 more than St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko, who's already on Canada's 4 Nations roster.

"The way he plays defensively and penalty killing, blocking shots, it adds a lot of value that I think sometimes goes underappreciated," William Nylander said. "What he does every night is just incredible."

Related: 'It's Not Really What I'm Focused On': A Candidate To Possibly Replace Alex Pietrangelo At 4 Nations, Chris Tanev Aims On Helping Maple Leafs Improve

Tanev has represented Canada just once in his 15-year NHL career. At the 2016 World Championships, he had one assist in 10 games and won a gold medal with Canada.

He's been one of Toronto's best defenseman this season, scoring one goal and 13 assists in 49 games. He also sits second among Maple Leafs defensemen with a 53.10 xGF% at five-on-five this season, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

"I guess what surprises you is how key of a player he is to our team," Nick Robertson said on Wednesday. "With how committed he is to blocking shots in our own zone, he's very valuable to our team."

Related: 'No Doubt He Should Be Highly Considered': Should Chris Tanev Make Team Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off Roster?

Bobby McMann added: "From my perspective, he's a huge part in us winning games.

"We see it on the offensive side, but obviously what he brings to the defensive side with blocking shots, good sticks, always being in front of their guys, and then making a great first pass, like, I think that's always overlooked as a huge skill in this league."

McMann is right. Tanev has been a massive reason why Toronto's been able to pull out so many wins this season. (They currently sit first in the Atlantic Division with 30 wins, the seventh most in the entire NHL.)

The veteran defenseman, though, isn't just an important player on the ice for the team.

"He doesn't say much, but some games he'll be a little pissed off coming into the locker room after a period or whatever telling us to wake up defensively," said Nylander. "And I think that's good."

McMann agreed.

"Not necessarily in a "Rah rah" type, but he's always seeing the game from the defensive side of it and seeing maybe what the forwards could do better," the 28-year-old said.

"Like, where we can be and he's definitely vocal in bringing those sorts of things up, and strategic-wise, like, 'How can we get pucks into the zone easier?' And things like that."

Related: 'He's Old School': Chris Tanev's Shot Blocking Ability On Full Display With Maple Leafs In Win Against Islanders

Berube hadn't coached Tanev before the two joined the Maple Leafs in the offseason. The head coach likely marvelled at Tanev's game ahead of this year, adding on Wednesday the defenseman's playing as advertised and more.

"I get the same thing every night from him. He's got great composure with the puck too. Like, he makes a lot of little plays out there that maybe go unnoticed a lot of times," Berube said.

"But you're getting the same guy every night. Like competitiveness, reading the play real well. He's got a high hockey IQ. He's just a smart player that's very consistent."

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