The Nashville Predators pulled off a blockbuster before the start of free agency Wednesday by acquiring P.K. Subban from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Shea Weber, a swap of All-Star defensemen.
Watch a press conference with Predators officials by clicking here.
Subban won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman in 2013 and had six goals and 45 assists last season before suffering an injury. The offensive-minded, dynamic 27-year-old has 63 goals and 215 assists in 434 career games, all with the Canadiens.
TRADE: #Preds acquire P.K. Subban from @CanadiensMTL for Shea Weber.
? >> https://t.co/yjsC36nKBB pic.twitter.com/uvlBmnMbFQ
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2016
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager David Poile made the announcement Wednesday.
“P.K. Subban is an elite offensive defenseman with tremendous skill and contagious energy that makes the Nashville Predators a better team now and into the future,” Poile said. “Superstar defensemen of his caliber are a rare commodity, and we are thrilled to add him to the organization.”
P.K. Subban - I want to come in, listen and learn. In turn I want to be a leader and a great player for the franchise. #Preds
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2016
Weber, who turns 31 on August 14, had been with Nashville since the start of his NHL career in 2005. He signed a $110 million, 14-year offer sheet with Philadelphia as a restricted free agent in 2012, but Nashville matched it to keep him. The three-time Norris Trophy finalist was a team captain and had 20 goals and 31 assists last season.
Homegrown Captain. Community leader. #Smashville original. #Preds pic.twitter.com/inXkeKtI3u
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2016