Subban Update, Eller Takes It Like A Man, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!!

The Twitterverse was abuzz yesterday after TSN Insider Bob McKenzie joined the Morning Show on TSN 690 Montreal, claiming that the Canadiens may be looking into trading RFA defenseman P.K. Subban, should a contract impasse continue.

The fact of the matter is Habs' GM Marc Bergavin has claimed publicly that he has every intention of resigning the budding superstar, and NOT trading him. Rumours and speculation are part of the everyday business of sports, but this is beginning to border on the ridiculous.

What exactly do people think would be an equitable return for Subban? Certainly, if a team signs him to an offer sheet and the Habs don't match, three first-round draft picks wouldn't nearly cover the value P.K. brings to the Canadiens' lineup.

Some have suggest perhaps trading him to the Anaheim Ducks for Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf or Bobby Ryan. How irresponsible would Marc Bergavin be if he traded a restricted free agent for a player, as in the case of Perry and Getzlaf, are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents come year's end? Further to that, not getting back a high defensive prospect in return for Subban would be a mistake as well.

The ball is in the Canadiens' court right now. Subban, without right to arbitration, can only wait and see what the team decides he will do this season. If the negotiations continue to stall, and the team has success, it may be a longtime before Subban gets to count a fresh set of Benjamins.

Here is Dave Stubbs' piece on the Subban situation from the Montreal Gazette.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

Remember to tune into MontrealHockeyTalk.com tonight at 6 PM for the Pre-Game Show with Steven Hindle, Rob Elbaz & Bobby Dollas, and join Corey Collard and a cast of characters for the best Habs Post-Game Show 5 minutes after the game. Also available on the TuneIn Radio app for smartphones.

- Lars Eller took his lumps like a man. While speaking to the press yesterday, the Danish centre said he needed to earn his spot in the line-up, and do what was asked of him by Habs' Head Coach Michel Therrien. He also admitted that being told what he was expected to do by the coaching staff was a refreshing change from the previous regime.

- Leafs' forward Joffrey Lupul broke his forearm during last night's game versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the injury, speculation of his emminent departure to Vancouver as part of a deal between Toronto and the Canucks is pushed aside. Kessel anyone?

- The New York Rangers, who most have picked to come out of the Eastern Conference and compete for the Stanley Cup, finally earned their first victory of the season defeating the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime.. Marian Gaborik, who was lined up with Rick Nash and Brad Richards, scored a hat trick that included the overtime winner.

Posted in: dave stubbs,joffrey lupul,lars eller,Marian Gaborik,montreal canadiens,montrealhockeytalk.com,New York Rangers,p.k. subban