In what has been a wild few months for the Montreal Canadiens. Today they decided to trade star defenseman P.K. Subban to the Predators. Shea Weber is the returning piece for Montreal.
TRADE: #Preds acquire P.K. Subban from @CanadiensMTL for Shea Weber.
? >> https://t.co/yjsC36nKBB pic.twitter.com/uvlBmnMbFQ
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2016
P.K. Subban Traded To Nashville Predators
After losing goaltender Carey Price for most of the season, the Canadiens had a free-fall in the standings. It was obvious losing their MVP goaltender really hurt the team. The more surprising part, however, is that the team has decided to trade their all-star defenseman to the Predators.
The 2015-2016 season for Subban was considered a down year for the defenseman as he played in only 68 games, tallying 6 goals and 45 assists. Subban recently signed an eight-year deal in August of 2014 worth $72 million. The deal lasts through the 2021-2022 season.
Subban has spent his career with the Montreal Canadiens, drafted by the team in 2007. In 434 games in the NHL, Subban has tallied 63 goals and 215 assists. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team during the 2013 offseason.
“P.K. Subban is an elite offensive defenseman with tremendous skill and contagious energy that makes the Nashville Predators a better team now and into the future,” Predators general manager David Poile said. “Superstar defensemen of his caliber are a rare commodity, and we are thrilled to add him to the organization.”
The defenseman is also known for his philanthropic side in the Montreal area. Most recently, Subban announced a donation of $10 million to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. He would also receive the 2016 NHL Foundation award.
Shea Weber Headed To Montreal
Subban for Weber is straight up. One for one.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 29, 2016
Weber is coming off a season in which he played 78 games, tallying 20 goals and 31 assists. The Philadelphia Flyers sent an offer sheet Weber’s way during the 2012 offseason, which the Predators matched five days later. The deal was worth 14 years with $110 million front-loaded and $68 million as a signing bonus. Weber has 10 years remaining on said deal.
The defenseman would tie Paul Kariya‘s franchise record for powerplay goals in a season with 14. He also finished his third 20+ goal season in 2015-2016. Weber would also win the Mark Messier Leadership Award this past offseason.
“We completed today an important transaction which I am convinced will make the Canadiens a better team,” Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said in a team statement. “It was also one of the most difficult decisions I had to make as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. In Shea Weber, we get a top rated NHL defenceman with tremendous leadership, and a player who will improve our defensive group as well as our power play for many years to come.
ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 02: P.K. Subban #76 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on March 2, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
