Montreal Canadiens: Three Free Agents Who Still Make Sense For Habs

P.K. Subban

P.K. Subban is well known in Montreal as he played his best hockey for the Canadiens. In fact, Subban is now a free agent following a monster eight year contract worth $72 million that he signed with the Canadiens back in 2014.

At this point in his career, the 33 year old is likely looking to sign with a contending team. Subban was in the Stanley Cup Final with the Nashville Predators, but has never won the Cup in his career that includes a Norris Trophy.

But, after a few days of free agency, it would appear no contenders have been calling Subban with serious offers. If they were, he would likely not be a free agent anymore. However, there are more ways than one to end up with a contending team.

If Subban can’t sign with a contending team right now, his next best option is to sign with a rebuilding team on a one-year contract, and show contending teams he can still help them by playing well before the trade deadline. Then, the contending teams would be calling looking for help on their blue line from an experienced right shot defender.

There are worse places for Subban to sign than Montreal. He is familiar with the city, and though some fans were tired of him when he was traded, many Canadiens fans absolutely love the player and would welcome him back with open arms.

He could play on a second pairing with shutdown left defender Joel Edmundson which would give Subban a chance to show he can still eat minutes without hurting his team defensively, and help out by moving the puck up ice quickly.

With the Canadiens current salary cap situation, it would take another trade of a winger, and Subban willing to roll the dice on himself on a one-year contract worth far less than his previous $9 million cap hit.

For the Habs, they could then have a veteran top four defender who allows the younger players to develop, and could result in the Canadiens adding a significant asset at the trade deadline in the form of prospects or draft picks.

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