From this day forward, Shea Weber will be compared to P.K. Subban. That’s the nature of the beast when it comes to trades, especially when they’re one-for-one deals like Wednesday’s blockbuster.
The long-time Nashville Predator turned Montreal Canadiens defenseman is wise to realize that he’s a different player.
“I’m not P.K. Subban and I’m not going to try to be,” Weber said during tonight’s press conference.
Critics of the move will point out that Weber is about four years older and his contract goes until he’s 40. Weber hopes that his emphasis on training will soothe any doubts.
“I’ve always taken a lot of pride in my training. I’m going to work just as hard, if not harder, to make sure I’m ready to go.”-Weber
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 30, 2016
Plenty of people believe that Weber’s former team got the better end of the deal.
#Weber v #Subban pic.twitter.com/EOTqzYcDQV
— Prof. Hintznikov PhD. (@LedgerSko) June 29, 2016
On the other hand, there are plenty of people who prefer Weber to Subban, citing his intimidating style.
Got same reaction from a Western Conference exec who was happy his team no longer had to face Weber https://t.co/gPTE9QceSJ
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 29, 2016
Regardless, it isn’t Weber’s job to convince people one way or another. After all, he’s got the vote of Habs GM Marc Bergevin.
All he can do is put himself in a position to succeed ... and maybe find a way to deal with the pressure-cooker environment in Montreal.
To his credit, Weber is more focused on the excitement of playing in that atmosphere rather than fixating on the negative side.
“You deal with pressure everywhere you play. I’m just looking at the excitement of playing at the Bell Centre for 41 games.”-Weber
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 30, 2016
/Bookmarks that comment for the first time the Bell Centre crowd turns on Weber.
Maybe Weber shouldn’t have been stunned by the timing of this trade, considering the savings Nashville enjoys by getting it done before July 1:
Shea Weber has an $8-million signing bonus on Friday the Predators avoid.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 29, 2016
Granted, Nashville likely wants Weber to enjoy a healthy enough run in Montreal ...
The Predators, for their part, know what they’re losing in trading Weber years after matching that controversial Philadelphia Flyers offer sheet.
Homegrown Captain. Community leader. #Smashville original. #Preds pic.twitter.com/inXkeKtI3u
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2016
More on the Subban - Weber trade
Bergevin’s comments about Weber shine an interesting light on Subban