Why it's no big deal that Zach Werenski will begin the Olympic tournament on the third defense pairing for team USA

Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas released team USA's practice lines yesterday, which featured Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski on the third pairing, alongside Ottawa's Jake Sanderson. Panic not, 5th Line: this is a good thing.

While I do understand the argument that Zach has firmly established himself as one of the NHL's most elite defensemen; I don't think that him playing in a depth role in Italy is necessarily a slight.

First, you have to look at the other defensemen on this roster. I don't think it's up for much debate that the Americans have the best defense corps in the entire tournament.

Starting on the first pairing are Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy. Hughes has the one spot that I think Werenski could make a legitimate argument for deserving more. But, clearly, having his own General Manager run the team has given Hughes favor to start this tournament. We should have expected that.

Also, let's face it: Werenski isn't going to supplant McAvoy on that right side. If anything, should the team falter early in this tournament, I could see a swap of Hughes and Werenski, with Zach joining McAvoy on that pairing. With Bill Guerin's approval, of course.

The second pairing features Jaccob Slavin and Brock Faber. This is going to be team USA's primary shutdown pairing. They will be a matchup nightmare for the opposition, especially defensively. Which is why they are paired together. I wouldn't put Werenski in that role.

Which brings us to the third pairing, with Zach being joined by the son of an original Blue Jacket: Jake Sanderson. I actually really like the makeup of this pair, especially if they can line up against secondary competition. They will dominate.

Both of them are big guys who can really skate and move the puck. Jake's game is suitable for playing either side of the ice (which is why he's on the right side here), and if the two of them can develop any chemistry, team USA is going to be in great shape.

A limited role for Zach Werenski is the best thing we could ask for.

The Blue Jackets have just two players at the Olympics this year. Joining Zach Werenski in Milan is goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who will play for the Latvians.

This isn't the fewest number of players from an NHL team, but it is close. The Jackets are tied with Buffalo and the NY Islanders, who each have two apiece. Then, the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks each have one player playing in the tournament.

I don't think this is a bad thing. Not one bit. Coming out of the Olympic break, the Blue Jackets as a team should be well rested, and ready to make a push for a playoff spot down the stretch.

The one concern I would have is, will Elvis Merzlikins and Zach Werenski come back healthy? Hopefully, they will. Ideally, they will also be rejuvenated, energized, and ready for the stretch run.

In a perfect world, Zach eats up those secondary minutes, helps team USA win a gold medal, and then comes home ready to help this team take its next step.

In my opinion, we shouldn't be upset that he isn't being thrown right onto the top defense pairing. This could be good news for the Blue Jackets. And bad news for some of the teams who have a lot of players playing overseas for the next few weeks.