The Nashville Predators will honor former Predators defenseman P.K. Subban at tonight's game, and this morning Subban took a moment to reflect on the magic of the Predators 2017 Stanley Cup run.
"That year going to the Stanley Cup Finals was probably the most fun year I’ve ever had in the league."
That is quite a statement from newly retired P.K. Subban whose NHL career spanned 13 seasons and three organizations. Tonight the Nashville Predators will welcome Subban back to Bridgestone Arena to honor him for his contributions during his time as a Nashville Predator.
P.K. Subban joined the Nashville Predators in what would be one of GM David Poile's most audacious trades. Former captain Shea Weber headed to Montreal in a one for one trade that brought Subban to Nashville on June 29, 2016. When asked about the success of that 2016-2017 Predators team, P.K. started right at the beginning.
"It was special because, first, there was just so much around the trade," Subban explained. "Shea Weber is such an impactful player in my time in the league and in the game and on the organization and the city of Nashville."
Coming to Nashville via a trade that saw the team lose their captain could have made for a tough transition in the locker room for Subban, but he was quick to point out that wasn't his experience at all.
"To be able to come in and be a part of a team of players that kind of came into the league as young guys - I’m sure guys like Jos [Roman Josi] and Ekky [Mattias Ekholm] learned from a guy like that..to come in the locker room and have them embrace me the way that they did and put me in a position to be successful, I think that can’t get overlooked."
Nashville's new defenseman found success quickly, scoring his first goal on the first shot he took in a Predators uniform. Subban went on to record ten goals, 30 assists, and 40 points on the way to the postseason in 2016-2017.
It wasn't just his on-ice performance that connected Subban with his new teammates that season.
"You can come into a locker room as a good player and have an impact on the ice, but what I love about these guys is that they wanted to see me do well," Subban shared.
"It wasn’t just about coming in and saying 'Let’s see how you can help the team' - it’s 'No, you're one of us. You’re our teammate now', and they gave me every opportunity to be a part of the culture here."
The Predators entered the postseason in 2017 as a wildcard team in the Western Conference but swept rival Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs in impressive fashion. A tight knit, resilient Predators team defeated the St. Louis Blues in the second round before winning the Western Conference Finals against the Anaheim Ducks in six games and earning their appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In that postseason run, Subban scored two goals and dished out ten assists.
Despite the loss in six games to the Penguins, the bonds from that season have lasted for Subban. He still keeps in touch with his former teammates.
"I've got a group chat with me, Harry Zolnierczyk, James Neal, and [Anthony] Bitetto still and Vernon Fiddler," Subban said with a smile. "I still talk to Jos obviously and Johansen and Sissons and Ekky and all the guys on the team. We still kind of hold on to that group that we had. It was a special group."
The following season the Predators won the President Trophy, and while the team didn't repeat their postseason success, Subban looks back on that season as fondly.
"That next year was almost even better, if you could imagine. We didn't get to where we wanted to as far as the Stanley Cup Final agains, but man, did we ever have fun."
Although Subban only played for three seasons in Nashville, his impact on the team and the community still resonant today. His Blue Line Buddies program is still going strong, and he remains a fan favorite.
The feeling is very mutual for P.K.
"This is a great place to play - one of the best places to play in the league," he reflected. "I'm just happy to be a part of that. If I helped shine a light on Nashville being a great place to play and live, I'm happy I did that."