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Bergevin isn’t looking back when it comes to blockbuster (and controversial) Subban trade

Montreal Canadiens Introduce Michel Therrien As New Head Coach

BROSSARD, CANADA - JUNE 5: GM Marc Bergevin speaks to members of the media after introducing Michel Therrien as the new Head Coach of the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell SportsPlex on June 5, 2012 in Brossard, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

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Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin recently opened up about the blockbuster trade of P.K. Subban for Shea Weber, in a Q&A with Dave Stubbs of NHL.com.

Some of the key points:

-- Weber will wear an ‘A’ as an alternate captain for the Habs next season.

-- Bergevin says Weber brings “instant credibility” to the Habs, based on his resume in the past, which includes two Olympic gold medals with Canada, and the way Weber can be difficult to play against is something the Habs lacked last season.

-- He insists he has “no issues with personality” and that coach Michel Therrien didn’t know anything about the trade until afterward.

Subban can be an electrifying player, as a 27-year-old defenseman who can be high-risk, high-reward at times, but is very productive in addition to being exciting.

It was a controversial trade for a variety of reasons, including Weber being 30 years old and under contract through 2025-26 with a cap hit nearing $7.86 million.

There was even a strong suggestion this could be the worst trade in Canadiens history.

It is one Bergevin is still answering to, and could be for some time. But he says he’s moved on:

There was a lot of thought going into this [trade] prior to that day, a lot of discussion internally. I had talked to my hockey people. At the end of the day, I make the decision. It’s on my shoulders, and I get that. But once I make that decision, I don’t look back anymore. It’s like the old expression, “If you’re looking in the rearview mirror, you don’t see what’s ahead of you.” There was a well-thought process of how and why. As a group we talked, and then I made the final decision, and after that, I move on. If you’re asking me “since that day…" well, I have moved on, yes.

Related:

In talking about Weber, Bergevin said plenty about Subban

Shea Weber isn’t going ‘to try to be’ like P.K. Subban

P.K. Subban and Predators: A match made in fun