Is PK Subban really available? There have been rumblings for years, dating back to his bridge deal, that PK Subban and the Canadiens might not be a perfect fit. From an outsider’s perspective, moving PK Subban sounds insane for Montreal. And yet there are reports like this from Pierre LeBrun:
Hearing that volume of calls has increased significantly for the Habs from other teams re: P.K. Subban in last 48 hours. What that means?
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 22, 2016
Canadiens are not shopping Subban but other teams are indeed calling and more frequently as July 1 no-movement clause approaches...
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 22, 2016
Is there really a deal that would make Marc Bergevin blink? Pretty hard to replace a player like Subban. But some teams desperate for top D
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 22, 2016
LeBrun is pretty clear that he’s only saying teams are calling and not that the Habs are shopping Subban. Still, it’s hard for your ears not to perk up when you see something like this. The Oilers have to be one of the teams calling Montreal to see if Subban can shake loose.
With Edmonton in dire need of an offensively talented right shot defender, it makes perfect sense that the Oilers would be calling the Canadiens about PK Subban. The Habs defender is a Norris trophy winner, a point producer, and one of the few players in the NHL that it makes sense to trade Taylor Hall for.
If Edmonton is willing to trade Hall then he has to be the main asset being offered in a potential Subban deal. Extremely talented LW for extremely talented RHD. Almost immediately this particular trade package was suggested on Twitter and I’ll repeat it here.
To Edmonton: Subban & 9th Overall To Montreal: Hall & 4th Overall
Would you do this? Would the Habs do this? Would taking on the extra 3 million dollars on the Cap going to Hall negate the need to swap the 4th and 9th picks? I don’t know.
PK Subban’s 9 million dollar hit would be difficult to absorb no matter what. However, we’re talking about a 26 minute a night defender who put up 51 points in only 68 games this year. He’s a possession player, a point producing player, and a minute muncher on top of it. He’s worth paying.
Montreal shouldn’t even consider moving Subban, but if they are then Edmonton might have the pieces and the willingness to make a deal. Could it happen?
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