Traded to Nashville for Shea Weber Wednesday in a summer-shaking transaction, Subban joins a defensive cast with the Predators which includes Norris Trophy contender Roman Josi and the underrated but wildly effective duo of Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm.
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In a blockbuster trade Wednesday, the Montreal Canadiens traded star defenceman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for two-time Olympic gold medalist Shea Weber. In addition to being considered among the top defensemen in the National Hockey League, both are among the highest paid. At 31, Weber still has 10 years left on his deal with a cap hit of $7.86 million per season.
FILE – In this January 16, 2016, file photo, Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber plays against the Minnesota Wild in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn.
The move ends Subban’s storied era in Montreal – he was drafted 43rd overall and wound up playing 434 games in a Canadiens uniform, with 63 goals and 215 assists.
But if we’re talking about a fantasy ceiling and the unknown factor, Subban joining a far better team with a track record of unmatched category coverage in recent seasons makes him the most intriguing option of any defenseman on the board. Stamkos has played his entire eight-year career with the Lightning, scoring 312 goals and registering 562 points in 569 games. That’s especially true with franchise goalie Carey Price due for a new contract in two years.
But Bergevin could make the trade, and take the risk that came along with it.
Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin said trading Subban is “one of the most hard decisions” he has had to make.
Wow another trade involving a two huge players for each respective team who would have thought?
Weber was awarded the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given to the player “who exemplifies great leadership qualities to the team, on and off the ice, during the regular season”, a week ago at the annual NHL Awards.
Subban is nearly four years younger than the long-time Nashville captain and tops every defender but Erik Karlsson in terms of point production over the past five seasons. Subban is also a better skater than Weber, but is not as big. That said, there has to be concern that he’ll start tailing off sooner than later and still has all that time remaining on his deal.
Weber was drafted by the Predators in 2003, and was named the team’s captain in 2010. “I don’t see him stopping”. But a deal like this, where Montreal may not have dramatically improved and gets marginal cap savings, you have to wonder if there’s more than we know going on.
“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.
Subban won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman in 2013 while Weber is a perennial contender for the trophy. Although his shot may not be feared quite like Weber’s, Subban does have a potent one-timer on the power play, so he can fill that spot on the Nashville power play.
The star Montreal Canadiens defenseman was loved by so many not only for his on-ice skills and showboating but for his presence in the city as a bon vivant, sharp dresser, warm and friendly demeanor, and community involvement.
Weber is the type of defenseman who only lets his play do the talking – but will that be good enough?
In the aftermath, Therrien stood by his critique, only adding the requisites – he had no problem with an “enthusiastic” guy like Subban, who was always in “a playful mood”.
Fans Rene Moreau and Pierre Couture both agreed that Weber’s experience gave him the nod over Subban. And the Predators also hope he can help them get over the hump and win the Stanley Cup.
Asked if things will be calmer around the Habs with Weber instead of Subban, Bergevin said they’re different personalities.
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These trades just don’t happen very often.
