Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban is retiring from the NHL after 13 seasons with three different teams. While Subban last suited up for a game in a Habs uniform during the 2015-16 season, after seven seasons in Montreal.
He officially announced his retirement in a post on Instagram on Tuesday. For Montreal Canadiens, it was a reminder of when Subban was a part of this organization before things went south and soured a bit.
Subban went on to have three-year stints with the Nashville Predators and the New Jersey Devils. It’s a lengthy career that saw Subban find his way into Subban as a brand or image rather than his on-ice performance.
The result was a trade to Nashville that brought eventual captain Shea Weber back to the Habs. While Subban’s personality is one of his big selling points to him, it boiled over and became a problem during his time with the Habs.
The reality is that Subban was a great player for the Habs, winning the Norris Trophy in 2012-13 after scoring 11 goals and adding 27 assists over just 42 games. He was a three-time all-star nominee with the Canadiens as well during his seven seasons. He also picked up another all-star animation with the Predators after being traded.
Former Montreal Canadiens defender PK Subban has retired.
For the Habs, Subban’s tenure may have ended with questions left on the table, and there was a piece on The Athletic ($$) that clears it up after bad blood between Subban and Brendan Gallagher during a contest between the Canadiens and Predators.
It’s a mixed bag of feelings when it comes to Subban. Some Habs fans enjoyed his style of play but drew a line when things got iffy off the ice. But his personality will likely fuel a career after hockey, where he will join a broadcast booth.
This past summer, Subban joined ESPN as a broadcaster for the playoffs, which could open a door for him to return now that he has retired and ended his on-ice career. After 13 years on the ice, Subban may aim to stick in the game as long as possible and get back onto ESPN broadcasts for his next adventure.
While Subban’s performance has declined, a reunion with the Habs seemed possible. With A Winning Habit’s Ken MacMillan recently tabbed Subban as a candidate for a PTO as training camp opens up.
But that’s not going to happen now, as Subban has hung up the skates and called it a career.