BROSSARD, Que. -- P.K. Subban was still wearing his playoff beard as he answered questions about what may be a summer-long story about his contract negotiations.
Since signing a two-year "bridge" deal that paid him US$3.75 million this
season, the 25-year-old, who has become one of the NHLs best and most
entertaining defencemen, is a potential restricted free agent in position to ink
a multi-year contract for a kings ransom with the Montreal Canadiens. Or he
could take a shorter contract and then become an unrestricted free agent. Subban
said he hopes to sign a long-term deal and to stay in Montreal his entire
career. "Im sure everybody in hockey wants a long-term contract, but for me, its
not just about that," he said. "Its about being part of a team that can win a
championship, and I believe we have that in this dressing room. "When it comes
to contract stuff, thats why I hire my agent (Don Meehan). Thats why we pay him.
Thats his job and Ill let him do his job. Ive done mine, and hell do his." The
Canadiens, coming off their second trip to the Eastern Conference final in four
years, gathered at their suburban training centre to clear out lockers and begin
exit interviews before splitting up for the off-season. Their
better-than-expected run to the third round of playoffs ended on Thursday with a
1-0 loss to the Rangers in New York. "Right now, the season just ended 48 hours
ago," said Subban. "It feels weird cleaning out my stall. "Im just still trying
to enjoy the last couple of days with my teammates before going home. Enjoy the
summer with my family. So, I havent put much thought into (a new contract) as of
right now, but obviously during the summer its something that will get taken
care of." General manager Marc Bergevin, who will talk to the media only on
Monday, has a heap of contracts to settle, but none will be watched with quite
the rapt attention of Subbans. During his bridge deal, the Toronto native won
the Norris Trophy as the leagues top defenceman in the lockout-shortened 2012-13
season and followed with a career-best 53-point campaign in which he had 24:36
of ice time per game, second on the team to rearguard Andrei Markov. He also
helped Canada win gold at the Sochi Olympics in February, although he was cast
as the extra defenceman on a talent-packed team due to managements doubts about
defensive lapses. Where Subban sits on the scale of NHL stars, or of top
defencemen, is much debated. Among his Olympic teammates, Shea Weber is signed
through 2020-21 by Nashville for an average of $7.8 million per season,
Drew Doughty is with Los Angeles until 2018-19 at $7.0 million, while Chicagos
Duncan Keith will make only $5.5 million until 2020-21. The one he is often
compared with is Ottawas Erik Karlsson, who is earning $6.5 million per year
through 2018-19. But with the salary cap expected to rise steadily in coming
years, the scale may now he higher for a player of Subbans skill and star power.
And theres always the possibility that another team (Toronto perhaps?) makes him
a spectacular offer that the Canadiens would have the right to match. Asked if
he feels he has reached elite status among NHL defenders, Subban said it is for
others to decide. "I dont control what people say and what category people put
me in," he sad. "All I can control is trying to help my team win hockey games
and a championship. "Thats my goal. But in terms of what people say about me.
There are always critics. There are always people that are going to characterize
yourself, your game. Thats not for me to do." Two other restricted free agents
who are likely to be much easier to sign are Lars Eller, who had an excellent
playoffs and who is developing into a shut-down centre, and right-winger
Dale Weise, a late-season pickup who sparkled in the post-season until suffering
a suspected concussion in Game 5 of the conference final. Weise was not
available to the media. And RFA Ryan White, who wasnt used in the playoffs, has
an uncertain future with the club, although he would likely be of interest to a
team needing a fourth liner with grit to his game. Markov, Thomas Vanek and
captain Brian Gionta top the list of seven potential unrestricted free agents.
The tough decisions involve Markov and Gionta, who are both 35 and slowing but
who are leaders on the team. Both may have to take short-term deals for perhaps
less money. Gionta, ending a five-year deal that pays $5 million per season,
wants to stay. "My familys been here for a while," he said. "We love the city.
"We love the team and believe in the team and the direction of the team, so well
leave it up to (Bergevin) and my agent to take care of it." Vanek has said all
season he intends to test the free agent market. The big, gifted winger showed
he can be a game-changer when at his best, but he struggled in the playoffs and
ended up going from the first to the fourth lines. "A year ago I made a decision
that it will likely be my only time to pick my own team, and hopefully pick a
team where I have a chance to win," said Vanek, who started the season in
Buffalo and moved to the New York Islanders before being picked up at the trade
deadline by Montreal. "Once you make the decision, you cant look back. "I loved
it. Its a market that I wasnt used to. Overall, I have nothing but good things
to say. Marc Bergevin really made me feel at home. When I had ups and downs he
was always there for me. Hes a great guy. Ill always appreciate what he did for
me." Vanek insists he wasnt injured in the playoffs, but said he struggled once
he was taken off the top unit with David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. "I
thought we were one of the best lines," he said. "Once I got taken off, I just
struggled to find myself on a new line. "I played with (Tomas Plekanec) most of
the playoffs and it just didnt work. Were both, I believe, very good players,
were just not on the same page. Its just a different game." The Canadiens may
also want to keep another deadline pickup, defenceman Mike Weaver, although he
is also over 35. But it may be the end in Montreal for potential UFAs
Francis Bouillon, Douglas Murray and enforcer George Parros. "Id like to keep
playing, but well see what happens," said 38-year-old Bouillon. While much of
the talk was of who would and would not be back, the mood was upbeat. The
Canadiens were expected to battle just to make the playoffs, but ended up with a
100-point regular season and a trip to the conference finals. They have a young
core of Subban, Pacioretty, pesky winger Brendan Gallagher, skilled 20-year-old
Alex Galchenyuk, goalie Carey Price and a few promising young defencemen that
suggest they can become a Cup contender. "I think we have an excellent
opportunity," said Price, who injured a knee in the opening game of the
conference final. "We came just a little bit short, so well need to find ways to
improve somehow. "We didnt win, so we have to get better. How that is well have
to evaluate over the summer. Each player individually is going to have to figure
out a way to get 10 per cent better. It might not even be that much, it might be
one per cent better. But were going to have to improve somehow." OSAKA, Japan --
Former champion Samantha Stosur moved into the Japan Open semifinals with a 6-1,
3-6, 6-3 win against Misaki Doi of Japan on Friday. Third-seeded Stosur, who won
the title in 2009, raced away to 5-0 in the opening set but it was far from
simple after that as Doi battled back to stir the home crowd and take the
second. The pair exchanged breaks of service in the third set before Stosur, the
highest remaining seed, held out to wwin.dddddddddddd Awaiting Stosur in the
last four on Saturday is American teenager Madison Keys, who reached her first
WTA semifinals with a 6-3, 6-1 win against Zheng Jie of China. In the other
semi, Canadas Eugenie Bouchard faces the last Japanese, Kurumi Nara. Bouchard
beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in their
last-eight tie while Nara defeated Polona Hercog of Slovenia 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-1.
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