It was six years ago that former Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin shocked the hockey world and traded fan-favorite defenseman PK Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber. The trade quickly split the Canadiens fan base into two factions: one that despised the trade, one that loved it.
On the other hand, there were fans who felt that PK Subban was one player who was more interested in being a brand and playing for himself than playing as part of a team. Most of this concept is covered by the media, however, as fans don't really know what goes on behind closed doors.
On the other hand, fans were upset that the team was moving away from a franchise defenseman who took over the entire NHL whenever he was on the ice. In exchange for a 27-year-old defenseman, the team was getting a 30-year-old defenseman with a lot of distance in his career as he played a physical brand of hockey in the visible Western Conference.
It seemed that there was no middle ground, and that the great debate over which team won the trade would continue for years to come. That was until June 2019, when a certain move by the Predators would determine the winner of the “trade.”
2016-17: First season
In the first season after Suban and Shea Weber found each other at the top, it appears that both teams are benefiting from their return. Both Weber and Suban had successful seasons, and so did their teams.
Suban finished the 2016-17 regular season with 10 goals and 30 assists in 66 games, and the Predators finished with 41 wins.
Meanwhile, Weber produced more during the 2016-17 regular season, finishing with 17 goals and 25 assists in 78 games for 42 points. The Canadiens finished with 47 wins that season.
Both of these teams will also be successful in the postseason.
It was the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs that gave a little hint to Canadiens fans who were against the trade. The Canadiens were eliminated in the first round by the New York Rangers in six games.
During their short playoff run, Weber scored three points and did everything he could to help the Canadiens advance to the next round. It was the strong play of Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist and the Canadiens' inability to score goals that led to their downfall.
On the other hand, Suban and the Predators, reached the Stanley Cup finals but could not get past Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
During the Predators' longest streak, Suban had 12 points in 22 games. Predators GM David Poile was also awarded the GM of the Year award, which many thought was due to the acquisition of Suban.
For many, this trade was set to be a short-term win for the Canadiens and a long-term win for the Predators. After the first year, however, the Predators look better equipped to make more long playoff runs than the Canadiens.
2017-18: Shea Weber Injury, PK Subban Norris Finalist
The next season, it wasn't easy for Canadiens fans who were in favor of the trade.
Weber blocked a shot in the first game of the 2017-18 season, resulting in a broken toe. He continued to play despite the injury but ended up being suspended for the season.
To make matters worse, playing with a broken toe led to Weber's knee requiring surgery.
Knee surgery kept him out for the start of the 2018-19 season, dampening the spirits of many who were excited about what Weber had to offer the Canadiens. This was the first major injury of Weber's career, which was a testament to his resilience despite his aforementioned style of play.
Weber finished the 2017-18 season with 16 points in 26 games. The Canadiens once again missed the playoffs and are one of the worst teams in the league.
In what could only be described as a brutal year for Weber, Suban was outstanding.
He would play in all 82 regular season games, finishing with 59 points and quickly becoming a fan favorite not only in Nashville but throughout the NHL.
Although the Predators didn't make it as far in the playoffs as they did last season, Subban has managed to record nine points in 13 playoff games. So far, the clear winners of the trade were the Predators, although the play of both players the following season would be a bit off.
2018-19: Trade Evens Out
In the 2018-19 season, Suban will go down to earth. To put it simply, the veteran blueliner has struggled all season.
The former Norris Trophy winner played in just 63 games and totaled just nine goals and 31 points. He would maintain that level of production in the postseason, recording just three points in six playoff games as the Predators were eliminated earlier than he would have liked.
Considering Subban's play largely revolved around his poor output, this was a disappointing season, to say the least.
Weber returned from his injury in November after missing the start of the season and picked up where he left off. The Canadiens captain played 58 games, scoring 14 goals and 33 points while leading the team's top defense. Although the total score was the same, Weber's defensive prowess was still on full display.
Although the Canadiens missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, individually, Weber had a better 2018-19 season than Suban.
Team success aside, it's hard to argue that the scales haven't tipped slightly in favor of the Canadiens this season. Although it is too early to say that they did not lose the trade, it was fair to say that they did not run away as more and more fans within the media seemed to think.
That was until June 22, 2019.
Suban Traded to New Jersey Devils
On June 22, the Predators traded Suban to the New Jersey Devils for Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies and two second-round draft picks. At the time of the deal, Santini was considered a depth defenseman and Davis was not considered a top prospect. The trade was considered more of a salary dump by the Predators than anything else.
While the Predators were able to pay the salary waivers in Suban's contract to sign highly-coveted free agent Matt Duchene, it's impossible to ignore the fact that the Canadiens still benefited from Weber in their top pairing while the Predators were left with it. residuals as a direct result of the agreement.
If you look at the 2019-20 totals of Weber and Suban until the NHL season was postponed due to COVID-19, Weber had scored 15 goals and 36 points in 65 games. Suban, now with his third team, would score just seven goals and 18 points on a disappointing Devils team.
Weber and Canadiens Improbable Stanley Cup Run, Devils Falter
The 2020-21 season has been an exciting one for the NHL as it has seen the Canadiens make an improbable run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Weber would play in 48 regular season games and 22 postseason games and would not reach his ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup. He had six goals and 19 points in the regular season while posting one goal and six points in the postseason and saw his offensive totals come back down to earth after having so much scoring success throughout his career.
Subban, on the other hand, will continue to play with reduced success during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. He would score a total of 10 goals and 41 points over the next 121 games and would not make the postseason with the Devils in those seasons.
Subban and Weber Retire Effectively
The Canadiens' Stanley Cup run would serve as the last games of Weber's career as he would miss the entire 2021-22 season and was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2022 off-season. He would succeed, although he would not officially retire from hockey, and put together what is sure to be considered one of the best defensive careers in NHL history.
Suban will officially announce his retirement during the 2022 season after 13 seasons in the NHL.
“I've never looked at myself or felt like I'm just a hockey player.” “I always looked at myself as someone who had played hockey,” said Suban. “Having that perspective has allowed me to enjoy every shift as if it were my last, celebrate every goal with emotion, and play every game as if someone paid to watch me play who has never seen me play before.”
Final Decision
On paper, this deal should have been a slam-dunk win for the Predators and an all-time worst deal for the Canadiens.
The Canadiens were going from a fan favorite who not only helped them win games but also put fans in their seats with his electric play, in exchange for a 30-year-old defenseman who many thought would slowly decline like Subban. he was hitting the ground.
In reality, however, the Canadiens will likely come out as the winners of this deal despite the team's lack of success to show for it outside of a single Cinderella Story game. Weber was a more important player and for a longer period of time for the Canadiens, than Suban was for the Predators. Still, the Predators got their Stanley Cup out of the deal, and six years later it's hard to imagine any team losing sleep over the deal. Ultimately, both players put together memorable NHL careers and will be fondly remembered by NHL fans, and especially fans of the teams they originally traded for.
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