Why is P.K. Subban such a polarizing figure in the NHL?
Talent wise, P.K. Subban is a top tier defenseman. He is a tremendous skater and puck handle. He has a great shot and a very good hockey I.Q. He is not afraid to hit and act as a pest on the ice. The Montreal Canadiens have to realize Subban is the second most important player on the team and they need to sign him quickly. To me, Carey Price, the goaltender, is the most important player.
Away from the ice, Subban is a personable, intelligent and fun loving person. The media love to interview him because he gives smart and usually candid answers to their questions. It seems that he is respectful to everybody, except maybe to his opponents during a game.
The Montreal Canadiens offered Subban a 3-year contract for 11million dollars. He was smart to reject the offer. What he wants is a 6-year contract for 36 millions dollars. The Canadiens’ management, some of the fans and even some of Subban’s teammates seem to think that this kid is simply too full of himself. I will provide you with some statistics, which will prove that the Canadiens really need Subban’s talents to build a strong team.
He has been in the league since 2010 – exactly 11 seasons. Below are the statistics and salaries of his teammates during the period Subban has been with the Canadiens:
Name |
Salary |
Year |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
+/- |
B.Gionta |
5 million |
2010-11 |
82 |
29 |
17 |
46 |
3 |
|
|
2011-12 |
31 |
8 |
7 |
15 |
-7 |
T.Plekanec |
5 million |
2010-11 |
77 |
22 |
35 |
57 |
8 |
|
|
2011-12 |
81 |
17 |
35 |
52 |
-15 |
S.Gomez |
7.5 million |
2010-11 |
80 |
7 |
31 |
38 |
-15 |
|
|
2011-12 |
38 |
2 |
9 |
11 |
-9 |
A.Markov |
5.75 million |
2010-11 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
2011-12 |
13 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
-4 |
P.Subban |
875 000 |
2010-11 |
77 |
14 |
24 |
38 |
-8 |
|
|
2011-12 |
81 |
7 |
29 |
36 |
9 |
The defensemen who are currently in the NHL who currently make 6 million a year range are: Dion Phaneuf, Bret Burns, Jay Bouwmeester, Dan Boyle and Jason Garrison.
Name |
Million |
Year |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
+/- |
D. Boyle |
6.6 |
2010-11 |
76 |
9 |
41 |
50 |
2 |
|
|
2011-12 |
81 |
9 |
39 |
48 |
10 |
J.Bouwmeester |
6.6 |
2010-11 |
82 |
4 |
20 |
24 |
-2 |
|
|
2011-12 |
82 |
5 |
24 |
29 |
-21 |
D.Phaneuf |
6.5 |
2010-11 |
66 |
8 |
22 |
30 |
-2 |
|
|
2011-12 |
82 |
12 |
32 |
44 |
-10 |
Bret Burns |
5.75 |
2010-11 |
80 |
17 |
29 |
46 |
-10 |
|
|
2011-12 |
81 |
11 |
26 |
37 |
8 |
J.Garrison |
5.5 |
2010-11 |
73 |
5 |
13 |
18 |
-2 |
|
|
2011-12 |
77 |
16 |
17 |
33 |
6 |
P.Subban |
875 000 |
2010-11 |
77 |
14 |
24 |
38 |
-8 |
|
|
2011-12 |
81 |
7 |
29 |
36 |
9 |
As you can see from the 2 statistics tables, P.K. Subban’s numbers are comparable to those of his teammates and the NHL defensemen who make more than 5.75million. The Canadiens should realize Subban deserves the money he is asking for and that he is worth signing for 6 more years for 36 million. The Canadiens should stop looking for excuses to deny Subban his big contract.
Now that I confirmed the value of Subban to the Montreal Canadiens and the salary range he deserves compared to similar defensemen in the NHL. We will look at his perception in the media, fans, players, and his teammates.
In my opinion, P.K. Subban might be a polarizing figure because the NHL has never had a Black, intelligent, confident, charismatic, proud and talented player. He refuses to be low key and also “talks a lot trash” in the hockey league. So far, NHL fans have only been used to seeing brash Black athletes in the NFL, NBA and MLB. He is definitely not DeMarcus Cousins or Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson. The NHL players, teammates and media talk about Subban as if he is a terrible person, as if he is a player who can divide a locker room or who only cares about his statistics.
Many hockey players and the media don’t like how Subban celebrates his goals. All hockey players have a signature move they like to do when they celebrate goals. Subban’s celebration is not over the top.
Many players don’t like his “trash talking”. Every team in the NHL has a minimum of 2 trash-talking players. Some players are better at it than others. Is Subban that good at “trash talking” or are players more sensitive to his comments because of other issues?
P.K. Subban, because of his discipline and work ethic is a role model both for the Black community and for the NHL. He is a good individual, an excellent player, and he does a great job at promoting himself.Is that why many hate Subban? If so, then I must attribute this hate to jealously and envy.
Please P.K. Subban, just BE and STAY you.
What is your own view of P.K. Subban?
Enjoy your day!