Whatever is bad news for the Montreal Canadiens is invariably good news for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Contract talks between RFA defenseman P.K. Subban and the Habs did not get settled like all but one of the 22 players who opted for salary arbitration and it appears that the two sides will let the arbitrator make the decision on what the former Norris Trophy winner will make next season.
The Canadiens offered just over $5 Million to the Toronto, ON native, who led the club in scoring during their run to the Eastern Conference Final with 14 points, while Subban’s representatives countered with $8.5 Million, which would make the 25-year-old the highest paid defenseman in the NHL.
P.K. Subban says no deal was reached today. Arbitrator will decide his contract for next season. "We have to live with those decisions."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) August 1, 2014If the decision to let the arbitrator decide is not a gambit to agree on a long-term deal, the Canadiens are in a precarious position with Subban, who qualifies for unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2015-16 season.
The ruling will yield a one-year deal and make Subban an arbitration-eligible RFA next summer. With the prospect of the defenseman becoming a UFA the following summer, Habs GM Marc Bergevin could face the dilemma of trying to get Subban to agree to a long-term deal or the prospect of trading him with a gun to his head.
The longer Subban goes without a new long-term contract in MTL, logic suggests the odds increase of him going to UFA or being traded.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) August 1, 2014Another option for Subban if this weekend results in a one-year deal is a possible offer sheet next July. The offer sheet could take the form of a seven-year deal for max money, which Montreal would match unless the salary amount is ludicrous or a one-year offer, which would bring Subban to the doorstep of unrestricted free agency and prevent the Habs from moving him if they matched because a player cannot be moved for 12 months after receiving an offer sheet.
This could be a tactic used by clubs within Montreal’s own division, like the Boston Bruins (who drafted Subban’s brother Malcolm in 2012) or the arch-rival Maple Leafs(his hometown team).
Top level trolling. Top. RT @Ja_Delish: .@mlse If only they got the handedness correct... pic.twitter.com/Rp7ORyKIAO
— SeanFitz_Gerald (@SeanFitz_Gerald) August 1, 2014*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******
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