It’s blockbuster trade day in the NHL!
Moments after we learned the Edmonton Oilers had traded Taylor Hall to New Jersey for Adam Larsson came news that the Montreal Canadiens had traded P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for their captain, Shea Weber.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos was the first to report the Subban-for-Weber trade.
The deal ends weeks of speculation about Subban. Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin told reporters over the weekend that he wasn’t shopping the 27-year-old defenseman, but where there was smoke there was fire, apparently.
“P.K. Subban is an elite offensive defenseman with tremendous skill and contagious energy that makes the Nashville Predators a better team now and into the future,” Preds GM David Poile said in a release. “Superstar defensemen of his caliber are a rare commodity, and we are thrilled to add him to the organization.”
Subban is signed through 2020-21 for a cap hit of $9 million.
Weber, 30, leaves Nashville after spending his entire NHL career there. He signed a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet with the Flyers in the summer of 2012. The contract was heavily front-loaded, but the Predators matched it anyway.
Weber is Canadiens property now. His contract runs through 2025-26, with a cap hit of $7.86 million.
“We completed today an important transaction which I am convinced will make the Canadiens a better team,” said Habs GM Marc Bergevin. “It was also one of the most difficult decisions I had to make as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. In Shea Weber, we get a top rated NHL defenseman with tremendous leadership, and a player who will improve our defensive group as well as our powerplay for many years to come. Shea Weber led all NHL defensemen last season with 14 powerplay goals. He is a complete rearguard with impressive size and a powerful shot. P.K. Subban is a special and very talented player. He provided the Canadiens organization with strong performances on the ice and generous commitment in the community. I wish him the best of luck with the Predators.”
Just spoke to Subban "I'll be @CanadiensMTL for life.Really happy to be going to a team that wants me in @PredsNHL." @NHL @NHLNetwork
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 29, 2016
FYI that there was NO salary retained in Subban-Weber blockbuster. Straight up contract for contract.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 29, 2016