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The positive memories so, so, so outweigh the negative ones… I’ve had so many great moments as a Montreal Canadiens.If I’m talking about the fan base or people in the community, that’s what I want them to remember me for: the guy that gave everything he had both on and off the ice, with no regrets.
The reality with regards to hockey trades is an interesting one. Fans have always been curious about what goes through a player’s head when they officially learn that they will no longer lace up their skates for the team that they’ve deeply cherished since their childhood. Disbelief and disappointment are usually at the forefront of the rampant emotions that come with hearing the news. A player’s ego will sometimes come into play, though it’s hard to concretely argue that P.K. Subban’s (rumoured) inflated sense of the self has gotten in the way of looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead with the Nasvhille Predators.
Kudos to Eric Engels of Sportsnet for asking the tough questions of which I’m sure the Montreal fan base was aching to hear the answers.
In the extended version of his interview with Subban, we’re offered insight into how the former Habs superstar defenseman truly felt. The picture is painted clearly when asked if he was angry.
He chose instead to mention the three things that he holds dear to his heart :
Number one, my teammates, because I love those guys and I felt like we had an opportunity to win… I want to see all those guys be successful… so it sucks that I’m not going to be able to (win a Stanley Cup with them).(The second is) the fan base, you know, my fans and Montreal Canadiens fans. I just wanted to play for them and win them a Stanley Cup as well, that’s uh… I mean it’s hard to even explain it- you have to play there, you have to wear the jersey to understand why you want to win so bad for them because they’re so passionate...
I tried to reciprocate that through my play and then through my commitment ultimately off the ice to the community. When I think about the Hospital and the kids and not being able to drop in and see them on off days… it’s going to make it a lot tougher to help the community, but like I said, I want to do it and I’m going to do it.
Hopefully, his responses to Engels’ questions will end any of the exaggerated speculations revolving around Subban’s selfishness. While there’s no denying that he shined brightest in the spotlight, he was always quick to give credit to his teammates and, as mentioned in the first part of my analysis, often prayed that his peers would receive more attention. Moreover, one cannot under any circumstances confidently claim that he took any shifts off or failed to give it his absolute best effort every time he took to the ice. Turning the puck over on certain plays was therefore a result of good intentions rooted in the desire to be the difference-maker, much like the superior athletes that he looks up to such as Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Pele.
Add Andrei Markov to that list, who called him out in the locker room early in his career after carrying the puck for too long:
To be able to take somebody (like that), break him down, but then build him back up… He was one of the first, if not, the only guy that took the time to do that. It’s easy to crack the whip on somebody and say that he’s not doing this right or he’s doing that or he’s just doing it for the fans or whatever… he actually took the time to say ‘no, this is the way you need to play and this is why’. He actually gave me more confidence throughout the whole thing, and that’s why I respect him so much, that’s why I’ll do anything for him, that’s why I’ll fight for him, that’s why I have his back 24/7 on the ice and off the ice… because of how he treated me. He didn’t have to do that, but he took the time to do it.When I think about (being a leader), that was the standard for me, and I tried to do the same for the younger guys like Chucky or Brendan Gallagher.
In a sense, this was an opportunity for Subban to make his peace with the fact that he will not be able to fulfill his promise of bringing a 25th Stanley Cup to Montreal. Facing the music and discussing out loud can be sufficient in closing the chapter on certain issues, and perhaps Habs fans will get some form of closure on this entire ordeal. Spirits now at ease might breathe a collective sigh of relief knowing that their theories hold true. After all, the reasons why Subban was traded are never categorically confirmed by the star himself, even when asked why he believes he no longer fit within the organization’s plans of eventually becoming a championship team.
The penultimate professional, he chose not to comment on the statements made by Marc Bergevin and Geoff Molson concerning players who “hate to lose… and how the team is better without the Toronto, ON native. He dismissed any suggestions that any negative comments were directed towards him.
For most, questions marks will forever loom over one of the most significant trades in the storied franchise’s long and winding history. As I’ve maintained, only time will tell just how negatively affected the Canadiens will be without Subban.
Catch the full interview here:
(Quotes are courtesy of Sportsnet)