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Contract for Subban is Really About Respect

July 30, 2014, 10:46 AM ET [3432 Comments]
Habs Talk
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EDIT: The Canadiens have just announced Dan Lacroix will join their coaching staff.

Also, Rob Ramage has been hired to replace Patrice Brisebois, and the front office has been restructured as follows:

Rick Dudley - Senior Vice-President of hockey operations
Trevor Timmins - Vice-President of player personnel and head scout
Scott Mellanby - Promoted to Assistant General Manager
Larry Carriere - Assistant General Manager



When I think about P.K. Subban, I think about the word respect. I think about Mike Richards suggesting Subban doesn't have respect for the game. I think about the perception of Subban's talent being disrespected by his own coach. I think about the respectful manner in which Subban comports himself off the ice. I think about the disrespect Subban dealt with in the Boston series. I think about Subban lobbying for the Habs to be respected.

And when I think about this current contract debacle between Subban and the Habs, I think most about respect; about the respect Subban's garnered with his most recent accomplishments; high scoring seasons, a Norris Trophy, a fabulous playoff run. I think about Subban wanting to be respected by Marc Bergevin, Michel Therrien and the Canadiens. For them to speak about him as glowingly as he speaks about the Habs.

This isn't about 8.5, or 8.75, or 9. This is about Subban, Molson and Bergevin sitting at a press conference that highlights the respect the Canadiens have for what Subban means to their organization. This is about putting a label on what Subban's already proven in Montreal--that he's one of their two best players, and that unequivocally, he's a respected leader in the dressing room.

The numbers came out ahead of arbitration. Subban's agent Don Meehan set the bar at $8.5M for next season, and because Subban filed for arbitration, the Canadiens have the right to choose between a one or two-year settlement. They elected for a one-year deal that would pay Subban $5.25M. I think fans, media, and anyone with any interest in this thing will interpret that in different ways.

The formalities are as follows: In choosing a one-year deal, the Habs have ensured that if this does in fact go to arbitration, they won't lose Subban at the end of the year. Arbitration will loom once again. It also ensures they can work out a long-term deal sooner than if he were to be awarded a two-year contract that brings him to unrestricted free agency.

Bergevin's number tells me he's angling to keep Subban's restricted free agent years at a reasonable figure, knowing he's got very little wiggle room on his unrestricted years. If you assume Subban's currently worth is equal to the $7.25M Kris Letang is making this season, then you have to imagine that number only gets bigger from year-to-year.

Subban's number for next season makes it clear that a long-term negotiation is in Bergevin's best interest (as if that wasn't clear enough). When you really break down the numbers from year-to-year, you start to realize Subban will be leaving some money on the table to lock himself up for eight years, anywhere between $8-9M annually.

I maintain, Subban wants fair value, but really, he wants to be respected. That's why he's willing to go long when he could easily skate to arbitration, pick up as much as $8.5M next season, and be up for an even bigger contract at this time next year.

It's time for the Canadiens to commit to Subban. He's certainly committed to them, even if some Toronto natives want you to believe he's always dreamed of playing for the Leafs. It's time for the Habs to make a statement about how much they respect Subban.
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