P.K. Subban is generating plenty of interest around the league ahead of his no-movement clause taking effect.
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com reports the Montreal Canadiens have seen an increase in the volume of calls asking about the talented defenseman. LeBrun notes the Canadiens aren’t shopping him but that teams are checking in heavily on his availability as his no-trade clause takes effect on July 1.
Hearing that volume of calls has increased significantly for the Habs from other teams re: P.K. Subban in last 48 hours. What that means?
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 22, 2016
Canadiens are not shopping Subban but other teams are indeed calling and more frequently as July 1 no-movement clause approaches…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 22, 2016
Again, not suggesting the Habs will trade Subban. Just relaying that teams are calling more frequently now that July 1 no-move is closer…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 22, 2016
LeBrun relayed that it’s not likely general manager Marc Bergevin would find a deal for Subban that would bring back fair value. He’s probably right. Subban is an elite defenseman in the NHL who’s a star on and off the ice. He should be hard to acquire. The Canadiens don’t have a super deep defense core and Subban is by far and away the best player of the group. Trading him would leave a huge opening on the blue line that would be next to impossible to fill.
As for value, it’s hard to peg what a trade for Subban would like. The Edmonton Oilers are one of the teams being thrown out as suitors, but I can’t imagine a deal getting done unless the Canadiens get a Taylor Hall-focused package back. Even then, I’d doubt they trade him.
Subban’s value is meteoric for Montreal. He’s their single-most important player outside of Carey Price. If Bergevin decides to trade him ahead of his no-movement taking effect, it better be for a king’s ransom, otherwise, what’s the incentive in dealing him?
