by Marc Lescoutre , Vodcast Producer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
I couldn’t believe it.
The first I saw of the P.K. Subban trade actually happening, I was on the Twitter page of an NHL Insider, blue checkmark and all. I still didn’t believe it. I scrolled my computer mouse over the blue checkmark. “Verified” appeared on my screen. These fake accounts sure are creative these days.
#Blockbuster @CanadiensMTL trade PK Subban to @PredsNHL for Shea Weber #wow @Sportsnet @NHL.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) June 29, 2016
It was no joke.
I was shocked. P.K. Subban’s last time on the ice of the Bell Centre as a Canadien was when he was stretchered off the ice.
There have been rumours for weeks. Rumours which ramped up ahead of the NHL Entry Draft before eventually subsiding following the conclusion of the first round. Rumours that I didn’t really give much credence to. Sure, Marc Bergevin has to pick up the phone when a GM calls, but when he says the conversation is a short one, I believed him. When he said he wasn’t shopping P.K. Subban, I believed him.
Was Nashville shopping Weber? I’m not sure about that.
Subban has been a polarizing figure for years. He has been criticized for his lack of maturity, lack of defensive acumen, lack of character and more over the years. Arguably, some of these may have been true early in his career. Since then however, Subban has improved his overall game, became a vocal part of the leadership group on the Habs, and a class act in the community.
In short, P.K. Subban is the total package. On the ice, he’s an elite defenseman who plays close to 30 minutes a game, who you can put on the ice in the last minute of the game, whether up by a goal, or trailing by one. Off the ice, despite what some of his detractors would argue, there’s not much he can do wrong.
He pledged $10-million to the Montreal Children’s Hospital from his foundation.
In interviews, he never misses a chance to give credit to his teammates, even when reporters want to ask about his play.
He was one of the only bright spots on the ice in the disaster that was the 2015-’16, consistently putting the team on his back.
He took his punches from Michel Therrien constantly, often being thrown under the bus by the head coach, always answering questions respectfully, never throwing blame at anyone else.
He is known as a player who never turns down a fan for an autograph or a photo.
The entire character issue narrative is one that I cannot and will never be able to understand.
Make no mistake. Shea Weber is not a bad hockey player. He’s an all star, and by all accounts, not a bad human being. He’s been a leader in Nashville for years, and has two Olympic Gold Medals to his name. The Habs are getting a solid player here, but a solid player who is in his 30’s, is under contract for another 10 years, and one who seems to have peaked and is beginning the downside of his career.
The Nashville Predators, and the City of Nashville just got a hell of a hockey player and an even better teammate and human being. Fans there who didn’t fall in love with Subban during All Star weekend shouldn’t have to wait too long for No. 76 to be your new favourite Nashville Predator.
In closing, the Montreal Canadiens are losing someone who transcends hockey. He was the heart and soul of the team who was able to put the team on his back, he was visible in the community, and he put smiles on countless children (and grown adults for that matter) over the last few years. He grew close to Élise Beliveau who became one of his biggest fans, and was distraught by the news of the trade.
The Habs are losing a player with personality who shines through in an often boring league full of cliches. He has already stated that his work with the Children’s Hospital will continue. Who would expect any less? P.K. is also scheduled to close out the ‘Just for Laughs’ Comedy Festival in Montreal later this summer. That should make for an emotional goodbye.
The Montreal Canadiens have made a huge mistake.
We’ll miss you P.K. Never change.