One of the blockbuster deals made in this offseason saw P.K Subban of the Montreal Canadiens traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for fellow defenseman and Predators captain, Shea Weber.
There have been many reports claiming that Subban was traded for behavioral problems, issues with management and rift between himself and Montreal captain, Max Pacioretty. In an interview with Sportsnet, Subban cleared all these rumors up.
“My memories of being a Canadiens are all good,” said Subban. “I am leaving the Montreal Canadiens, happy about playing there for six seasons and wearing the jersey. I can’t comment on coaching decisions, management decisions, that’s not me. Whatever things are being said about me, I can’t comment on me either because I’m not saying them. At the end of the day, I just focused on what I could control, and while I was here that was how I played.”
Subban controlled quite a bit on and off the ice during his time in Montreal. In his 434 games played in a Montreal sweater, Subban racked up 63 goals and 278 points all while playing defense. Subban was considered by many to be a skilled, offensive defenseman who was solid in his own defensive zone.
Off the ice, Subban is beloved in Montreal. Hockey players are widely considered to be some of the most generous and giving athletes, and Subban exceeded any and all expectations. One of his more recent charitable causes came in the form of a $10 million donation to the Montreal Children’s hospital.
The facility described his $10 million pledge as, “the biggest philanthropic commitment by a sports figures in Canadian history.” Even though he will be playing in a different city now, Subban plans on honoring his pledge and continuing to work with the hospital.
Many people, weeks after the trade are still trying to figure out why Subban was traded. His eight year, $72 million contract was traded for Shea Weber’s $68 million contract. Weber is three years older than Subban and will be under contract longer with the Canadiens than Subban would have been.
Geoff Molson, the Canadiens owner did not speak much to any reasons to the trade other than defending his General Manager Marc Bergevin and that he thought it made the team better.
“I have a lot of respect for P.K.,” Molson told Sportsnet. “But I also believe have a lot of respect for Marc for having the courage to do something he knows is unpopular. It was directly related to trying to improve the hockey club for this season.”
No real questions have been answered as to why Subban was traded from Montreal. If it wasn’t problems with teammates, management, his contract or performance, what could it have been?
It doesn’t matter anymore. Subban is a Nashville Predator now and is focused on winning there. His final thoughts on leaving Montreal: “I just wish I could have won a Stanley Cup for that organization. No one could say I didn’t try my hardest or that I didn’t show up to play.”
