P.K. Subban’s relationship with now-former Montreal Canadiens teammates has been dissected for some time, but captain Max Pacioretty insists that he lost a “friend” in the trade.
At least, that’s what he’s saying publicly, as Sportsnet reports.
“I’d been with him for nine years, so it’s going to be very strange to come into the locker room and not see P.K. there, joking around with him all the time,” Pacioretty said.
He added that, in the Subban-for-Shea Weber trade, the Canadiens “lost a friend and hopefully gained another.”
Again, there’s been plenty of speculation that Pacioretty and other Habs viewed Subban as anything but a pal. Jacques Demers ranked among the many who believed that Montreal suffered from a “divided room,” with some believing that it came down to Subban vs. Pacioretty.
Pacioretty dismissed the claims back then:
Max Pacioretty on his supposed "feud" with P.K. Subban. Tres interessant! pic.twitter.com/hvdl1bjJcK
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) April 10, 2016
While Subban responded in a way we’ve come to expect, wondering if he’d have to “make out” with Pacioretty to prove doubters wrong.
That Pacioretty passage might just sum it up the best: you can be friends with someone while (gasp) also occasionally being annoyed by their antics. Really, have you enjoyed a lengthy relationship - business or personal - that never had those moments of minor friction?
Chances are, such chemistry issues were really just a distraction from the more important issues, such as Montreal depending far too much upon Carey Price.
The good news for “Patches” is that he won’t field nearly as many questions about Subban now that P.K.'s plying his trade in Nashville.
The not-so-good news is that he’ll be an obvious target for blame if Montreal’s fate doesn’t change with Weber replacing Subban.
We’ll find out soon enough if Pacioretty has enough help from his friends.
Related
Owner stands behind Marc Bergevin’s moves, Subban trade included
Michel Therrien on his relationship with Subban (when they were still employed by the Habs)