Free-agent P.K. Subban still looking to sign contract with a new team

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So much has occurred with P.Okay. Subban since he signed an eight-year, US$72-million contract with the Canadiens on Aug. 2, 2014 — a day after enduring an arbitration listening to with GM Marc Bergevin that left feelings uncooked.

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“I can keep in mind going by way of the arbitration … that looks as if yesterday,” Don Meehan, the agent who negotiated that contract and nonetheless represents Subban, stated throughout a telephone interview Wednesday night.

“I suppose for someone my age, eight years flies by fairly shortly,” the 71-year-old Meehan added. “Most likely not so shortly for someone who’s quite a bit youthful. However at my age, the years appear to fly by.”

Since signing that contract, Subban has been traded twice — first by the Canadiens to the Nashville Predators after which by the Predators to the New Jersey Devils.

Now, the 33-year-old is an unrestricted free agent and Meehan remains to be engaged on discovering a brand new workforce and a brand new contract for Subban, who he has been working with for the reason that defenceman was 16.

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Subban, not surprisingly, appears to be taking every little thing in stride. Final week, he posted a trip video on Twitter of him dancing round with pals on the deck of a good looking boat whereas listening to some loud rap music.

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Final season, Subban had 5-17-22 totals in 77 video games with the Devils and was minus-8 whereas averaging 18:18 of ice time.

“P.Okay. simply got here again from trip and I talked to him right now concerning the free-agency market and I’ve indicated to him that we’ve had expressions of curiosity,” Meehan stated. “I’ve instructed him that there are groups shifting cash — assessing what sort of cap area they’ve, analyzing their depth eventualities to find out simply precisely what they will do. A few of these points are in play as we communicate, so I can’t get a definitive response from some groups by way of shifting forward, however I’ve had expressions of curiosity for him up to now. However the groups which have expressed curiosity aren’t ready to contract now as a result of they’ve bought different issues in play.

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“He needs to play, I can inform you that,” Meehan added. “However I feel at this stage in his profession he would wish to play someplace that would supply an excellent alternative for him. With out sounding too aggressive, I feel he’s earned the privilege to be considerably selective by way of the place he would play in order that it really works for the workforce and it really works for him. In different phrases, he doesn’t simply wish to play wherever. He has that measure of independence.”

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Meehan didn’t wish to talk about any particular groups. Whereas Subban has at all times beloved Montreal, it’s most unlikely the Canadiens would carry him again as a part of their rebuild underneath a brand new administration workforce. Subban is from Toronto, however his hometown Leafs are up tight in opposition to the NHL wage cap — as are many different groups.

It could be very shocking if there isn’t an NHL workforce keen to signal a short-term contract with Subban, who has 13 years of NHL expertise and a Norris Trophy from the 2012-13 season with the Canadiens.

There may also be no scarcity of job presents within the media and/or elsewhere as soon as Subban decides to hold up his skates.

Why ought to a workforce take into consideration signing Subban at this level in his profession?

“I feel primarily based on his play lately with New Jersey and the entire constructive feedback that (Devils GM) Tommy Fitzgerald has made about his play and his help for his teammates and his likability by his teammates,” Meehan stated. “The way in which he contributed this yr, I feel he performed successfully. He’s not the P.Okay. of eight years in the past, however then no one is. However I feel there’s a spot for him that he can contribute to a workforce and contribute properly on a constructive foundation.”

scowan@postmedia.com

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