B/R Experts' Twitter Debate: Should P.K. Subban Be on Team Canada?

Shouldn't the reigning Norris Trophy-winning defenseman be granted a ticket to Sochi to play for Canada in the Winter Olympics? Not necessarily, at least to Bleacher Report's own Dave Lozo, who debates this question with fellow scribe Jonathan Willis. I'm your moderator, Adrian Dater, although my name probably should be Ron McLean, as I am going to try and make sense of our two Don Cherry-esque panelists.

My job, then, like McLean's, is to raise an eyebrow and look confused whenever these guys say something and try to interject some common sense. I will pass a few judgments myself, and seeing as how I am allowed to get the last word on this thing, that will be the final judgment. So off we go...

"

I don't know how P.K. Subban making Team Canada is even debatable. He won the Norris Trophy last year; don't over-think it.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

I'm with you here Willis. How is this a debate? Can we start over?

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@JonathanWillis I've changed my mind on this. One good 48-game season doesn't make him Team Canada-worthy. He has no big-game experience.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

"

@DaveLozo He's played 25+ NHL playoff games and played at the WJC's as a teenager, which seems like a pretty good introduction to pressure.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

"

@JonathanWillis You want to take the best defensemen. Does winning the Norris Trophy *really* make you the best defenseman?

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Well, kind of. I mean, it goes the year's best all-around defenseman. Then again, Shakespeare in Love did beat out Saving Private Ryan for best picture in 1998. So, you're still in the game here Lozo. Proceed.

"

@DaveLozo Canada's taking seven D to Sochi; how do you leave behind the one who (I'll give you "arguably") was best at position last year?

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

"

@JonathanWillis That's like saying my work as a summer intern at the White House makes me a good President five years later. WJC is nothing.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Hey careful there, Lozo. I'm a former White House intern, and I still have hopes of claiming the Oval Office.

"

@JonathanWillis Who cares what some "writers" who have never played the game think? If Kenny and Stevie don't like him, it's for a reason.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Wait, are you actually implying, Mr. Lozo, that the game's power brokers don't listen to what we have to say? It is for shame, sir.

"

@DaveLozo Besides which, look at Montreal's totals last year. They out-scored the opposition 2:1 with Subban on the ice. That's magic.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

"

@JonathanWillis Subban and four other guys. Maybe Canada can take them to Sochi too? Are you going to start quoting "Corsi" at me too?

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Ok, now this is getting good. Butter and light salt on the popcorn please.

"

@DaveLozo I certainly could; Montreal was a break-even shots team last year w/ Subban on the bench; out-shot opposition 32-22 w/ him on ice.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

"

@DaveLozo Ah, yes, the appeal to the all-knowing Hockey Canada management team. Lowe and Yzerman have been unequivocal successes as NHL GMs.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

"

@JonathanWillis Look, I was in Newark when Subban tried to cough up the game. That one play is proof of why he should stay home.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

"

@DaveLozo Oh, for sure, one play is all that matters. While we're at it, let's take back Lidstrom's Norris wins too: http://t.co/EizZdftdqi

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

Down goes Lozo, down goes Lozo, down goes...K, sorry. But good point Willis. You're smarter than you look.

"

@JonathanWillis Stats are for nerds and losers. I watched Subban with my eyes and he literally stumbled. Bouwmeester is way more reliable.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Five thousand guys with pocket protectors and taped-together glasses want to have a word with you, Lozo.

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@JonathanWillis Also, Subban didn't talk after his mistake nearly cost the team. Shows a lack of maturity. You know who's mature? Hal Gill.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

"

@DaveLozo This is actually a very good point, and one that isn't raised often enough. Plus, Gill's big - Subban's only 6'. Great point.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

Oh, don't start letting up and being polite now, Willis. You had him!

"

@JonathanWillis I'll give you Subban is an excellent skater, strong, would do well on big ice and can create offense. Does Canada need that?

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Let's just sing Kumbaya now then guys.

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@DaveLozo No, you've sold me. Canada needs 'Steady Eddy' D, and speed, strength and puck-moving are liabilities on the big ice.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

Do I detect a note of sarcasm there Willis? Atta boy. Your move, Lozo.

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@JonathanWillis Maybe if Subban was lefty. Having the proper left/right balance is very, very important. It's how championships are won.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Wait, now we're getting wonkish, Lozo?

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@JonathanWillis I mean, the ice is big, why would you not want big players? That's some pretty obvious math for a so-called stats guy.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

"

@JonathanWillis Next thing you know you'll be telling me Kris Letang should go too.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Are you gonna take that, Willis? Are you gonna take that?

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@DaveLozo I had been thinking good players win championships, but I'm wrong yet again. You're crushing me with logic here.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

Cue Paulie Walnuts here: "Oooohhhh."

"

@DaveLozo You've sold me. John Scott's 6'7", a left-handed shot, and can play forward in a pinch. Plus, he'll stick up for his teammates.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

Cue Paulie, Tony Soprano and Christopher here: "Ooooohhhhhh."

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@JonathanWillis Sure, good players do. But what about brash players? We all know brash cancels out goodness. It's in Don Cherry's book.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Mr. Cherry thanks you for his inclusion to this debate. Signed, The CBC.

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@JonathanWillis Now you're just trolling me. Of course Scott should've been there four years ago but not now. Come on. Don't be silly.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

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@DaveLozo I hadn't even considered that angle. Plus, is that the kind of role model we want Olympians to be for our kids?

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

Do it for the kids. The kids! Think of the kids!

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@JonathanWillis Team Canada wants guys who play the right way.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Is Todd Bertuzzi still available?

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@DaveLozo Don't be ridiculous. Scott had to learn how to win with Chicago before he could represent his country.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

"

@JonathanWillis Exactly. And until PK learns to win in Montreal, he's a liability. Scott has heart. Can't teach heart.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

"

@DaveLozo Like Alex Pietrangelo! http://t.co/e5LBuiqz33

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

"

@DaveLozo Well, for all our apparent differences, we've finally reached consensus. John Scott > P.K. Subban in 2014.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

See, was this really so hard, to form consensus?

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@DaveLozo @JonathanWillis This is the most epic Olympic selection discussion that will ever take place.

— Muse Seymour (@trustmuse) December 6, 2013"

Is that sarcasm?

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@JonathanWillis His own coach just started trusting him late in games. And what does Subban do? Cough it up. He's not ready for prime time.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

"

@DaveLozo Just to recap, we agree Canada should leave behind the small, brash, right-shooting guy who once had a turnover, right?

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

Paulie: "Ooooohhhhh."

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@JonathanWillis Whoa, that sounds a little racist when you say it like that.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

Awkward silence.

"

@JonathanWillis Corsi and Fenwick can't quantify clutch. Your eyes can tell the real story better. Agree to disagree I suppose. #Bouwmeester

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

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@DaveLozo Your logic is unassailable. Out of thousands of puck movements, you spotted the one that really mattered. Kudos.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

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@JonathanWillis Thank you for agreeing with me. Let's do this again next week.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) December 6, 2013"

"

@DaveLozo Agreed. I look forward to learning more about the game from a guy who watches it, rather than spreadsheets.

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 6, 2013"

OK, not bad guys. Points on both sides. We'll leave it to the readers to decide who won this. I need to work with both you guys still.

But dudes, next time, just go with this: