Canadiens to honor PK Subban

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they will be "honoring" former NHL defenseman PK Subban during a pre-game ceremony against the Nashville Predators in a game at the Bell Centre next month.

The evening is being promoted as "PK's Homecoming" on the Canadiens' official website, but it doesn't look like the Habs (nor the Predators for that matter) will be retiring Subban's #76 anytime soon. Which, to me, seems like the right decision. There's no doubt that Subban had some electrifying moments in a Habs uniform, but with a team that has had so much success throughout its history, I feel like you have to really take things to the next level in order to have your jersey number retired. As an example, it took the team nearly 15 years to retire Patrick Roy's #33 after leaving the franchise and Roy is considered by many to be one of the greatest goaltenders in history. As much as I love Subban, no one is talking about him like they talk about St. Patrick.

"We are thrilled to welcome P.K. back to his first NHL home this January," said Canadiens owner, president, and CEO Geoff Molson said in a prepared statement. "We look forward to giving our fans a chance to celebrate his career and the impact he had - and continues to have - on the Montreal community. Whether it's kids on local minor hockey teams choosing to wear No. 76, or the number of fans we see on any given night at the Bell Centre who still proudly wear their Subban jerseys, you don't have to go far to understand the influence P.K. had on the popularity of the sport in Quebec." 

Subban played 434 games with the Canadiens before he was traded to the Predators in a 2016 blockbuster deal for Shea Weber. In 434 games played for the Canadiens, Subban racked up 63 goals and 278 points, adding another 38 points in 55 career playoff games as a Hab. Beyond the walls of the Bell Centre, the 2013 Norris Trophy winner's impact within the community through the P.K. Subban Foundation, and with the Montreal Children's Hospital in particular, helped cement his undeniable legacy in the city. 

He is one of the most popular players in team history, but he's also one of the most polarizing players in team history. It's no secret that Subban's flashy play and over the top celebrations didn't fit well in a traditional market like Montreal and there's a belief that teammates like Max Pacioretty and Carey Price didn't see eye to eye with Subban during his time with the team. In the end the Subban for Weber trade seems like a fair one for both sides, now that both players have officially packed it in.