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Subban feels ‘whole lot closer’ to winning Cup with Nashville, ‘a team that wants me’

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The Nashville Predators are very excited to acquire P. K. Subban citing his leadership, energy and offensive skill as reasons for the trade.

We may never learn the true story of P.K. Subban’s relationship with the Montreal Canadiens.

But we’re certainly getting some hints.

In a conference call following Wednesday’s blockbuster trade -- Subban going to Nashville, Shea Weber going to Montreal -- Subban stopped short of ripping his former club, but did have some pointed comments about where he thinks the Habs are at.

“On the business side of things, the Montreal Canadiens paid me a lot of money two years ago to to do what I do for a living,” Subban continued, per The Tennessean. “At the end of the day, I just wanted to come in and do my job.

“But obviously right now, I’m going to a team that wants me. The Montreal Canadiens felt that they had to take it down a different path.”

One of the NHL’s biggest personalities, there were always rumblings of Subban rubbing people the wrong way in Montreal. There were rumors of a fractured relationship with the club’s captain, Max Pacioretty. There were critiques from head coach Michel Therrien. And there were those that felt Subban was equally interested -- if not more interested -- in building himself as a brand.

Of course, this is the same guy that pledged $10 million to Montreal Children’s Hospital. Who routinely embarked on charitable outings, especially with local youths. Who legitimately looked like he enjoyed everything he was doing, all the time.

“It’s amazing,” Canadiens defenseman Nathan Beaulieu said of Subban’s endeavors. “For a guy like that to take something that’s his, his time, and do something like that is pretty special. It shows a lot about the person he is and the organization that taught him how to act as a pro and as a player.

“Just to give something back like that, it takes a special person to do that.”

In the end, it’ll be fascinating to hear what Habs GM Marc Bergevin had to say about this trade. If it was strictly about the on-ice product -- or lack thereof -- then it will be up to Bergevin to explain how Weber, who’s older and saddled with a lengthier contract, is a better fit than Subban.

And if it’s about off-ice stuff, well, chances are we won’t get the full details.

Heck, chances are we won’t get any details at all.