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Montreal Canadiens Trade Rumors: P.K. Subban’s Name Re-Emerges

By Ryan Ritchie

March 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Montreal Canadiens Trade Rumors: P.K. Subban’s Name Begins to Float Around the Media Once Again

Montreal Canadiens trade rumors are just beginning to ramp up in what could be one of the busiest offseason in recent NHL history.

According to TSN‘s Frank Seravalli, after speaking to two different General Manager’s, he was given a pair of opposite spectrum answers. He asked about P.K. Subban‘s availability, with one GM telling Seravalli that he was indeed available, while the other called the report false.

This practice is not uncommon in the hockey world.

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Media is fed false or contradicting information all the time. One thing we know with certainty, GM’s never close the door on possibilities. Just because a player is deemed untouchable, doesn’t mean another team can’t make the right offer to pry a player away.

Sure, the likelihood of P.K. Subban being traded is very low, but there’s always that slim chance.

A trade seems increasingly impossible when you consider his incredible generosity this past year with a $10 million dollar donation the Montreal Children’s Hospital, his involvement in the community, and personality which makes him a beloved Habs player.

On the other hand, there must be a portion of the fan base that is tired of his play on the ice. To this day, Subban is still a borderline no.1 defenseman (an argument exists for both sides). When you look at the stats, he’s a guy known for generating some of the highest number of turnovers on a year-to-year basis.

That stat-line was magnified in 2015-16 as Subban made several of those giveaways at crucial moments in games – usually in some sort of embarrassing fashion.

This isn’t a knock on P.K. Subban because he’s a great defenseman. Just imagine what he could do with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic type as partner? It may just be a case where a change of scenery is what’s best for both the player and team.

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Montreal Canadiens Trade Rumors: 5 Potential Targets for P.K. Subban

Note: The following are not proposed trades. They are players who Montreal could target as part of a multi-player deal.

Matt Duchene (Colorado Avalanche)

Duchene is being squeezed out in Colorado; Nathan MacKinnon cannot be forced to play the wing any longer, while the Avs come off another disappointing season that could result in a serious roster shake-up. Matt Duchene and Tyson Barrie would be ideal targets in a bigger multi-player deal.

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Anthony Mantha/Gustav Nyquist (Detroit Red Wings)

Mar 22, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) defends Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (39) during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) defends Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (39) during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive holes were exposed for Detroit in 2015-16, but they luckily managed to extend their playoff streak. That record could be in jeopardy next season if the Red Wings don’t find an upgrade on their blueline. Subban would be a massive boost for Detroit’s defensive group.

Take your pick in the return; Anthony Mantha, Gustav Nyquist, Riley Sheahan, etc. A potential deal would likely contain multiple talented players. Detroit would need to give Montreal an NHL quality d-man of some sort in return.

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Taylor Hall/Jordan Eberle/or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton Oilers)

Take your pick, as it sounds as though any one of the three may be available for the right price. Perhaps if Edmonton is willing to part ways with Oscar Klefbom and Taylor Hall, you might be able to hammer out a bigger deal.

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Cody Ceci/Kyle Turris/Bobby Ryan (Ottawa Senators)

It seems Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan are likely candidates to be dealt this offseason as Ottawa looks to shake things up. If Montreal is willing to take on Ryan’s contract, it may be enough to pry Cody Ceci away. Once again, this would be another multi-player deal.

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Jonathan Drouin (Tampa Bay Lightning)

This might be the most intriguing scenario of all for P.K. Subban.

If Montreal would be willing to take on one of Jason Garrison, Braydon Coburn, or Matt Carle‘s contracts: Steve Yzerman could re-sign Steven Stamkos, and still afford to trade one of his young stars that is looking for a pay raise in the next couple of years.

Given the Quebec/Montreal connection, Jonathan Drouin is a logical fit – even though recent rumors suggest he isn’t going anywhere.

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