Everyone knew star Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban was going to get big money in his new contract, it was just a matter of would it be the Canadiens retaining his services and how many years. Well, that question has been answered in a big way.
The Canadiens have signed Subban to a new eight-year contract. The financial details were not revealed by the team, but multiple reports say the deal is worth a total of $72 million, at an average annual value of $9 million. If all goes accordingly, Subban will remain with Montreal through the 2021-22 season.
“I think it’s a strong commitment … It sends a strong message to me that they want me here and appreciate everything that I’ve done to this point. They believe in me as a player,” Subban said Saturday. “People don’t have to speculate about how the Montreal Canadiens feel about me.”
The deal didn’t come without some minor headaches though. Subban and the Canadiens were engaged in an arbitration hearing Friday morning after failing to come to terms to an agreement prior to the deadline. Throughout the entire process he stated that he wanted to remain in Montreal long term. The agreement reached today avoids an arbitrator’s ruling which would’ve been due Sunday.
“It was an educational process for me,” Subban said. “It was always respectful between the Canadiens and I. I learned a lot.”
He was voted the NHL’s best defenseman last season, winning the Norris trophy and scoring 53 points playing in all 82 regular season games.
“We are very pleased to have reached a long term agreement with P.K. Subban. This agreement helps consolidate the future of our team,” Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said in a statement. “A key element of our group of young veterans, P.K. plays with a high level of intensity every time he steps onto the ice. Despite his young age, he carries a great deal of experience and brings contagious energy to the team. Defensemen of his level are a rare commodity in the NHL.”
The contract makes Subban the 12th highest player in the NHL, and 3rd amongst defenseman.
Way to get that bread P.K.
[h/t NHL.com]