More than two weeks into free agency, one player that hasn’t received a lot of coverage is veteran defenseman P.K. Subban. The 33-year-old’s eight-year, $72MM contract expired earlier this month, allowing him to hit the open market for the first time but he hasn’t really been linked to teams at this point.
However, his agent Don Meehan of Newport, told Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette that while the rumor mill has been quiet for his client, it hasn’t been for a lack of interest and that he, like quite a few other free agents, are waiting for the financial picture for certain teams to get cleared up:
P.K. just came back from vacation and I talked to him today about the free-agency marketplace and I’ve indicated to him that we’ve had expressions of interest. I’ve told him that there are teams moving money — assessing what kind of cap space they have, analyzing their depth scenarios to determine just exactly what they can do. Some of these issues are in play as we speak, so I can’t get a definitive response from some teams in terms of moving ahead, but I have had expressions of interest for him to date. But the teams that have expressed interest aren’t in a position to contract now because they’ve got other things in play.
Subban has seen his production dip considerably over the past three seasons compared to his time with Montreal and Nashville and is coming off a 22-point campaign with the Devils in 77 games. Notably, his average playing time dipped under 20 minutes a night for the first time in his career as he averaged 18:18 which put him fifth among New Jersey’s blueliners. That was a drop of more than four minutes a game compared to 2020-21, hardly ideal for someone heading into free agency. A year ago, Subban had a case that he could still be a top-four defender but it will be harder for his camp to make that argument now.
Meehan also indicated that Subban is particularly focused on finding the right fit:
Without sounding too aggressive, I think he’s earned the privilege to be somewhat selective in terms of where he would play so that it works for the team and it works for him. In other words, he doesn’t just want to play anywhere. He has that measure of independence.
While Subban isn’t at the level he was back when he was in his prime as a three-time Norris finalist, he could still help teams in more of a limited role while it also helps that he and Anton Stralman basically represent all that’s left of right-shot defenders that are available on the open market. But with it proving more difficult than before for teams to free up salary cap space, Subban’s search for the right fit could drag on a little longer yet.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Back to Canadiens now Weber is gone !
to be fair, everyone has failed in New Jersey
Not just in hockey, overall
Didn’t Taylor Hall win the Hart?
Sounds like bs to me, since I can’t imagine he’s worth much more than 1-2m at this point and most teams could make that work with limited effort.
Not a lot of contending teams have flexibility. And even some not so contending teams (flyers notably) or they already have their 6 set. If he is being selective he’s probably wanting a somewhat chance to win. I think his best bet if he wants to win is to sign a. One year deal on a lower team, prove some usability, and hope you get moved at the deadline.
One of the dirtiest players in the NHL
How big is that list? Like are you saying top 20, top 5?
He most likely doesn’t have a list. Was just told to hate the dude so they comment this every time his name is uttered
Wow, epic blast. It must have taken you minutes to get this one out of your cut and paste file. Seems like hockey might be a bit to tough and violent for you.
His name is PK Slewban not for no reason
Actually, google Subban slewfoot. I like PK, but he’s not wrong.
I don’t see any deal beyond 1 year or above $2 million for PK with any team.
1 year vet minimum.
Canucks right side, powerplay 2 quarterback, 3rd pair.
Make it happen
Right now it’s
Luke Schenn
Tyler Myers
Tucker Poolman
Subban instead of poolman please.
He’s a liability on defense these days and is third line D and second line PP. Playoff contender with some cap space could resuscitate him somewhat on a one year deal with minimal cap implication.
PK, PK … (shakes his head) You have “earned the privilege” of deciding for whom you want to play in the exact same fashion as every UFA does: by being a free agent, and therefore able to vote thumbs up or thumbs down on offers teams extend to you.
And that’s precisely IT. This is professional sport we’re talking about. Teams don’t give a damn what you used to be able to do; they give damns about what they think you can still bring to the table. The only team out there that might even be inclined to extend nostalgia money is Montreal … and they’ve got all of $1.2 MM cap space free, and their defense corps is old enough as it is.
Old? They have wideman, savard and edmundson all around 30 and right now they have rookies taking the other spots.
Your comment is spot, on. When I read “earned the privilege” all your comments immediately popped into my head.