The first song that came on the radio this morning when I got into my car was Blue Rodeo’s “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet…. I think it is fair to say that it is exactly how many Montreal Canadiens fans were feeling the day after The Trade. Montrealers are still wrapping their head around the fact that P.K. Subban will no longer be donning the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge jersey.
The love affair between Subban and the city of Montreal started right when he was drafted in 2007. His infectious smile, enthusiasm and desire to bring a Stanley Cup to Montreal made him an instant darling. On the ice, Subban dazzled with his spinaramas, skating/puck handling and canon of a shot. Not since the days of Guy Lafleur did the Canadiens have a skater who could lift fans out of their seats just to see what he would do next. Off the ice, Subban threw himself into the local community, visiting the Children’s hospital on his own when no team visits were scheduled. He integrated himself into the fabric of the city. Some would go as far to say that Subban was the best thing to come from Toronto. Montreal loved Subban and Subban loved Montreal. The good news for the city is that despite the break-up with the Canadiens, Subban has vowed to honor his $10 million dollar pledge and commitment to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. The relationship with the Canadiens is over, but Subban will always be a part of Montreal wherever he may be.
There have been many rumours regarding Subban and his relationship with management and fellow teammates in the locker room. I will not delve into them. Whatever may have happened is in the past. I thought that the arrival of Kirk Muller would be of tremendous help, bridging the gap between Therrien and Subban as well the one within the locker room. Ultimately, Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin decided that it was in the organization’s best interest to trade away their most electrifying player. A Norris trophy winner. Fans were spoiled being able to watch Subban for 41 games a year on Bell Centre Ice. To say that he will be missed is a tremendous understatement.
As for Shea Weber, he has the unfortunate task of being the one who has to come to town and replace Subban on the ice. This is not shades of the Chris Chelios/Denis Savard deal, Patrick Roy, Ryan McDonagh or other. The Canadiens are getting one of the best defenceman in the league with Weber. Numerous Western Conference players, coaches and general managers have expressed their relief about not having to face him as often. Yes, Subban is younger and faster. However, Weber is no slouch. I sincerely hope fans give Weber an honest chance and support him while he is with the Canadiens. It is not his fault that he got traded for Subban.
From a hockey perspective, this may very well be a trade that works out well for both players, at least in the short run. Many have said that Weber did not work as well under Predators head coach Peter Laviolette’s system compared to that of Barry Trotz. Playing for Therrien in the Eastern Conference might just be the best thing that could have happened to Weber. On the flip side, Subban will only get better playing for Nashville under the tutelage of assistant coach Phil Housley. Adam Oates was interviewed and said:
#GottaHearIt - Adam Oates doesn't think P.K. Subban's game has evolved with time. https://t.co/BSudRzispP pic.twitter.com/INHaniCEoR
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 30, 2016
Subban was never going to reach that next level with Therrien and J.J. Daigneault. As a fan of Subban the player, I for one am excited to see what he will do in Nashville, especially surrounded by their defensive core.
Can Weber help Montreal win the Stanley Cup? Absolutely he can. However, I believe that Subban could have helped just as well. They are both elite defencemen that bring different qualities to the table. Bergevin has said that the Canadiens are a better team now with Weber but would not elaborate as to why. I will not say that the Canadiens are better, just that they are different. I also believe that Weber is being brought in to eventually mentor their recent 9th overall pick Mikhail Sergachev. Bergevin knows that the window of opportunity for the Canadiens to win with their current core players is now while they are in their prime and under contract. The rebuild is over. Expectations are to win, this past season aside. The question now is what else Bergevin has up his sleeve as free agency opens tomorrow at noon?
I have heard from fans who said that they are done with the Canadiens. That management has destroyed their love of the team. I ask if Weber is capable of helping the Canadiens win a 25th Stanley Cup, will you still stay away? What came first, being a fan of the Canadiens or being a fan of the Montreal Canadiens. If the answer is the latter, I hope that fans still find a way to cheer on Carey Price, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Galchenyuk, Max Pacioretty, Shea Weber and so on. You can dislike the trade, be upset at Bergevin/Therrien but still cheer for the Canadiens as well as Subban in Nashville. Today, Canadiens fans are feeling the sting of The Trade. Winning though, will certainly help ease the pain.
Welcome to Montreal Shea Weber. You are in for a hell of a ride.
Cheers & follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler