He is a three-time Norris Trophy finalist.
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Hertl had six goals and 11 points in 20 playoff games before being injured in the Stanley Cup finals. Past year he had a career-high 10 goals and 32 points, including 24 even-strength points, a number on par with Weber as well as the Blackhawks’ Duncan Keith and Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh. “Superstar defensemen of his caliber are a rare commodity, and we are thrilled to add him to the organization”.
Bergevin took Subban to arbitration before the Canadiens ended the dispute by signing him to the richest eight-year deal in their history two years ago. He has 63 goals and 278 points in 434 career games.
Several seismic moves on this NHL Blockbuster Wednesday, a traditionally sleepy day on the league calendar, appear to have turned Friday’s July 1 opening of the free-agent market into an anti-climax before it even begins.
Weber is close to Subban when it comes to passing the puck out of the defensive zone, but this past season was the worst of Subban’s career in that regard, as Michel Therrien constantly harped on him to dump the puck out, which he did.
But that’s where this trade starts making less sense.
A 2013 Norris Trophy victor, Subban dedicated himself not just to the team but to the entire city of Montreal, and nothing symbolized that more than his 7-year, $10 million commitment to Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Zarmati, 22, said although Weber is a very good defenceman, the all-star is simply not as dynamic as Subban. There was a poll on the site and with over 40,000 votes in, over 83 percent said that the Nashville Predators won the trade. A pairing of Subban and Roman Josi will arguably be one of the best if they work well together.
Both are on long-term deals, but Weber’s contract was front-loaded.
“You’ve got somebody here who is an icon with youth and a chance to be somebody to move up in Montreal, and in a matter of six months, that’s all going to be forgotten”. The Canadiens needed a true number one defenseman – P.K. played like one at times, but was a borderline no.1 at best.
“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. It was also one of the most hard decisions I had to make as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. In exchange for sending Weber north of the border just days before his annual gargantuan bonus is due, Nashville gets a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman who is younger and has scored more points than Weber over the past four years. Shea Weber led all National Hockey League defencemen last season with 14 power play goals.
The Canadiens gave up a highly skilled 27-year-old defenceman in the prime of his career for a solid 30-year-old who excels on defence and with his booming shot on the power play.
This is more than a fair way to feel because for many Canadiens fans, Subban is so much more than just a hockey player. He provided the Canadiens organisation with strong performances on the ice and generous commitment in the community.
Many fans and media in Montreal reacted with shock or even outrage when the Canadiens announced that the popular Subban was leaving the team after seven seasons.
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With all of these moves being made, I really do think the floodgates have been opened and the offseason, as far as trades are concerned, has officially begun.
