TORONTO -- One of the most interesting aspects of international hockey is the fluidity of allegiances it requires: Enemies are forced to be friends, and friends are made to be enemies.
Entering Tuesday's finals opener between Canada and Europe, perhaps the most fascinating matchup to watch will be iron-tough Canadian defenseman Shea Weber against Europe's offensive-minded D-man Roman Josi. For four seasons, the 31-year-old Weber and the 26-year-old Josi, a Swiss national, formed an unlikely but potent partnership for the Nashville Predators.
Their NHL relationship will change this season after the summer's blockbuster trade of Weber to the Montreal Canadiens for P.K. Subban. Because Weber was scratched for Canada's preliminary-round game against Europe, Tuesday will be a preview of sorts, marking the first time they've skated against each other in a competitive game.
"It's going to be different playing against him, and not with him," Josi said after his team dispatched Sweden during its near-miraculous run to the World Cup of Hockey's last round. "I think for us it's going to be a lot of fun playing against Canada in Toronto in the finals. There's not many better things than that. I'm just going to try to enjoy it."
Weber agreed. "It's going to be fun," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. He's a great player. I'm proud of him and how far he's come in his development. He's just going to keep getting better. He's still young enough where he can continue to improve. But that first game is going to be a little bit different."
The pair were more than linemates in Nashville. Their relationship was one of mentor and apprentice. Josi even lived with Weber for a few weeks before training camp in his second season. Weber also regularly organized group dinners just for Nashville's defense, a way to improve their sense of connection. With time, Weber and Josi became the unit within the unit.
"He was one of my best friends," Josi said. "It was obviously a big honor to play with him. As a young defenseman, to be able to play with a guy like him, to study a guy like him, was unbelievable."
Weber, one of the game's strongest players, watched over his protégé with an almost parental concern. During their bruising playoff series against the San Jose Sharks, Joe Thornton tripped Josi in the offensive zone. Josi took exception, skating back and giving Thornton a lunging crosscheck that didn't leave much of a mark.
Weber finished the job with a whack across the back that dropped Thornton.
Now Thornton and Weber are Canadian teammates ("It's a heavy stick," Thornton said, remembering their time in opposition), and Weber will be facing Josi. Whenever the speedy Swiss joins the rush, Weber will be waiting for him with what he promises will be his usual ferocity, despite their friendship.
"Hockey players are the type of guys, it doesn't matter if you're friends off the ice," Weber said. "On the ice, it's a common goal. You're trying to win. It might be a weird thing to some people, but there's a lot of pride and commitment in the goal that you're trying to accomplish. I think that brings out the best in both. You're still going to continue to be friends off the ice. It's just the competitiveness that comes out in everyone on the ice."
How that competitiveness surfaces on Tuesday remains to be seen, but no one knows better than Roman Josi just how heavy Shea Weber's stick can be.
"It's always going to hurt if he's there," Josi said.
Love sometimes does.