Canadiens, Subban agree to contract

Defenceman inks two-year, $5.75M deal

MONTREAL • The PK Subban soap opera has come to an end, with the Canadiens’ defenceman agreeing to a twoyear deal with a total cap hit of $5.75 million.

The first year of the deal is worth $2 million, but will be pro-rated for the lockoutshortened season. Subban will collect $3.75 million for the 2013-14 campaign.

The deal was announced Monday evening by Habs general manager Marc Bergevin.

While the contract talks, which began last spring, seemed to be acrimonious as the two sides argued over both salary and the length of the contract, the two struck a conciliatory note during a joint conference call Monday night.

A subdued Subban praised Bergevin for his professionalism and said the general manager’s consistency led to the deal. He complimented his teammates on their strong start to the season and said he was anxious to get on the ice.

“I watched all the games on TV and to say it was difficult would be an understatement,” Subban said from his home in Toronto.

He said it was particularly tough on opening night when Hall of Famers Yvan Cournoyer, Henri Richard, Serge Savard and Jean Beliveau participated in the opening ceremony. He said it served as a reminder the Canadiens are a family and he wanted to be part of it.

“I grew up as a Canadiens fans. You all know my father is a great fan. I’m anxious to get back on the ice with my teammates,” said Subban, whose return to the lineup is in the hands of head coach Michel Therrien.

Subban will join his teammates Wednesday in Ottawa. He could be in uniform this weekend when the Canadiens play their annual Super Bowl weekend matinees Saturday against Buffalo and Sunday versus Ottawa.

While Subban was pushing for a longer deal, he said he accepted the two-year term after discussing the matter during the weekend with his family.

“I love Montreal and I love the fans. I want to play there,” Subban said.

The deal leaves the Canadiens with approximately $3.1 million in cap space this season. The cap will drop to $64.3 million next season.

The Canadiens now have 17 players under contract for next season with a cap hit of $56.1 million.

GRAHAM HUGHES/THE CANADIAN PRESS PK Subban said it was very difficult to watch the Canadiens play while watching them on TV from his home in Toronto. He could be back in uniform for games this weekend.