Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Subban Had To Go

07/04/2016 at 8:49am EDT

from Jack Todd at the Montreal Gazette,

The odour of mendacity still clings to the seventh floor of the Bell Centre, where Bergevin claimed he had not been shopping Subban’s considerable talent around the league. Sure, you just whip up a deal for two of the league’s premier defencemen in 48 hours because someone happens to call. If you believe that, have I got a swamp for you.

The whole episode reminded me of one of my favourite country song titles: “Get Your Tongue Outa My Mouth Cause I’m Kissin’ You Goodbye.” Good luck, P.K., and we hope you like country music.

Of course no one is saying so for attribution, but Subban is gone because the club had issues with his character, which is subtly different than character issues. Somehow, Subban had made himself unpopular in the room and in the executive offices through what would appear to be an excess of personality.

Subban was too ebullient. He was too happy after losses. He may have stayed out too late at night. He may have joked that Drew Doughty was going to win the Norris because he had a better supporting cast.

That Subban’s behaviour never included the sort of very real character issues you get with the Raising Kane Brothers (Patrick and Evander) didn’t matter. He was cocky and brash and a little too involved in his own world, so he had to go.

Whatever Subban was like in the room or in the clubs after hours, when the puck dropped, no player on this team battled harder. Subban gave this team all he had every night, so if he wanted to bounce around the room and crow after a loss, he has earned the right. If some of his teammates worked half as hard, there would not have been so many losses to mourn in the proper fashion.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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