With that said, it’ll be very interesting to see how Weber responds to doing the impossible and filling Subban’s shoes on the Canadiens blueline and in the community.
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“I will not go into detail why we think we’re a better team, but we feel we are a better team and I will leave this discussion internally”, Bergevin said. Still, Bergevin said trading Subban was “one of the most hard decisions” he has had to make.
Lining up as the NHL’s top available free agent heading into July 1, a 26-year-old who’s produced more goals than any player but Alex Ovechkin since 2008, Stamkos opted to pull himself off the market, agreeing to remain with the Lightning on an eight-year deal. He is a complete rearguard with impressive size and a powerful shot..
“Yes, I’ve received calls on P.K., but I’m not shopping P.K. Subban”. “He provided the Canadiens’ organization with strong performances on the ice and generous commitment in the community”, including a $10 million donation to Montreal Children’s Hospital a year ago.
“With a lot of the chatter that kind of happened over the little while, I’m a firm believer that usually where there’s smoke there’s fire”, Subban said on a conference call.
Hours after pulling the trigger on what has to be one of the biggest trades the Canadiens have ever seen, Bergevin insisted he got the better end of the deal by bringing 30-year-old Shea Weber and his $7.8-million cap hit over the next ten seasons to Montreal. The 27-year-old Subban had six goals and 45 assists this past season. Last season, Stamkos played in 77 games, scoring 36 goals and finishing with 64 points.
“He got my attention when he brought up the name of Shea Weber”, said Bergevin, who said he never “shopped” Subban to other clubs.
The six-foot-four native of Sicamous, B.C., brings a booming shot that helped him lead the National Hockey League with 14 power play goals last season.
Nashville and Montreal each feel that way after the straight-up deal that made the Edmonton Oilers’ swap of Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for Adam Larsson look like child’s play.
Drafted in the second round in 2010, Zucker has been up and down over the last four years, appearing in 169 games.
So, “blockbuster” doesn’t even begin to describe the trade between the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators on Wednesday.
“We’ve pounded the pavement and this is the price you have to pay”, Chiarelli explained.
This trade means Hall reunites with Devils forward Adam Henrique. Two of the best defensive players in the league and both one of their teams best players were trading teams, cities, and even countries. The Skelleftea, Sweden native had three goals, 15 assists, 77 penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating in 82 games last season. Sorry Toronto, but you have some help coming with Mathews and others coming up. Sorry Buffalo Sabres fans.
Finally, Steven Stamkos is staying in Tampa Bay.
After using up significant cap space to sign Jones, the Blue Jackets bought out the final two years of defenseman Fedor Tyutin’s contract. It also comes with a full no-movement clause. A year ago he averaged 25:23 of average ice-time per-game and notched 51 points – the third-highest point total of his career.
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“Their eyes light up” when they meet him, said Élise Béliveau, the widow of Habs great Jean Béliveau, who became one of Mr. Subban’s biggest fans.
