OK… I think the dust may have settled a bit and we can take a little breath. An interesting social media battle has broken out on “The Trade.” Quite a few Montreal fans now coming out and saying good riddance to PK Subban. I just don’t get it.
You can’t expect a fan base to march in lockstep… frankly you don’t want it to, but the back shots being aimed at the one of the best defensemen in the league are really hard to understand. There is a narrative trying to be built by a noisy group of Hab Nation, Subban’s a show-off, a big personality, a bad guy in the room. But there is a big problem with this narrative.
It’s a steaming pile of crap.
Why do I say that? Because of the actions of the organization. This isn’t the first time a big personality has been driven out of Montreal… it seems to be the culture. But even the “culture” response doesn’t pass the smell test, and the stink comes from the signing of Alex Radulov. A player with a history of crazy goal celebrations (just ask Jason Arnott) and a history of “me first” behavior (choose any number of examples.)
So let me get this straight… the problem with Subban was in the room so you get rid of him only to add Radulov. Ummm… really? What this move does is smack of desperation and self-inflicted desperation at that.
As I have written previously, everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves… and who knows, maybe a miracle happens and Radulov comes back to the NHL as a changed man. For his sake, and for the sake of Habs fans… I hope that happens. It will certainly make the January 3rd home game against Montreal a VERY interesting night in Smashville as Pred Nation gets to let Shea Weber know how much he has meant to them… and how Radulov disappointed them. It is sure to be a highly schizophrenic night.
Think of some of the big personalities in hockey and how few of them there are. Everyone is so locked down, so cautious to not say anything of any interest in the media, to a newspaper or in a TV interview, and when they do, how quickly the smackdown happens. I miss the Brett Hull’s and Jeremy Roenick's on the ice… someone unafraid to be quotable, to say what is on their mind and let's face it, they caught their share of crap from the media and from their employers. Well… PK is quotable, not afraid to have fun and oh… by the way… is one of the best hockey players in the league.
Pred Nation has seen a few rather large personalities… Rich Clune and Wade Belak jump to mind, both were having fun… both were serviceable enforcers… but beyond the fun enforcer, Nashville has seen nothing like the combination of personality and talent like PK Subban on the ice at Bridgestone Arena... but Music City can handle the big personality, we are used to it. We see them on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, in the stands at Predators games, and on stage at one of the many performance venues across Nashville. This market appreciates a bit of showmanship.
In his excellent blog on the Preds website, Predators TV Color Analyst Stu Grimson notes an example of the maturity of Subban…
At the front end of his comment about the NHL’s prettiest defenders, P.K. pointed out that Shea Weber too was a good-looking man. I couldn’t help but notice Subban went out of his way to pay his respects to the Preds’ departed captain, while at the same time he was deadpanning for the local media. And this was not the only moment in a 10-minute presser that Subban gushed about the Preds’ former No. 6.
Signs of a maturity beyond his 27 years perhaps?
For my money, there are clear indications that Subban gets it, and he wears Gold now as a result. It’s OK to put yourself out there; just be sure to honor the game and those around you as you do.
Yup… Stu nailed it. But even on the comments on Stu’s blog, there was that same “culture” clash from Habs fans commenting, to be fair, there are many more positive comments about Subban, but some folks can’t seem to let it go… and they can’t seem to process one incontrovertible fact…
Smashville can’t wait to welcome number 76 to Music City
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Random Notes
- Another depth signing for Nashville yesterday as they re-upped Michael Liambas. Milwaukee fans know that Liambas led the team in penalty minutes, finishing second in the AHL in that stat.
- Both Petter Granberg and Calle Jarnkrok have elected to go to player-elected arbitration. Negotiations will continue to try and avoid the often contentious process.
- Pred fans will get a couple of looks at an old friend as Jordin Tootoo has signed a one year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.
- A lot of writers calling the Predators one of the most improved teams in the league after the last two weeks of action.
- Rumors flying about Evander Kane being on the block as Buffalo’s patience is growing thin.
- Is Dallas still looking to upgrade their goaltending? The Ben Bishop rumors will not go away.
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