The New Jersey Devils best player has announced his retirement and agreed to terms on a new deal with a different team.
Defenseman P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils was a free agent heading into this offseason. He has made the decision to go a different route and retire. This morning, on social media, the now-former Devil, Predator, and Canadien declared his retirement.
Regards! tweet.com/rpyePEKvyG
— @PKSubban1 (P.K. Subban) September 20, 2022
The fact that the former Norris Trophy winner received little attention in free agency seemed a little strange to me. But looking back, I kind of get it. While in New Jersey, Subban demonstrated that he was a player who might be able to continue playing, albeit not in the same capacity as before. The 33-year-old two-way threat did not play with the same urgency or resolve as he did in his early career. He continued to shoot, but the results were only a shadow of what he had done in Nashville and Montreal. Subban’s season-long average of 18:18 per game was the lowest of his career. His 5-on-5 on-ice percentages weren’t too bad, but nothing particularly noteworthy to lead someone to believe he’s a hidden gem available for purchase. If the #5 defenseman on a struggling Devils team in 2021–22 had not received so many attention from teams across the league, I don’t think we would have taken much notice of it. Therefore, I can understand Subban’s decision to leave after noticing the lack of interest.
An intriguing Hall of Fame case is what he leaves on the ice. He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2013 and 2014–15, as well as the NHL All-Rookie Team for 2010–11, in addition to winning the Norris in 2013. The fact that he was chosen for the All-Star team suggests that he was one of the best defensemen in the NHL during his playing career, and those selections are positive signs for a potential induction. Moreover, almost every winner of a Norris eventually found themselves in the Hall. Right now, Randy Carlyle is the only one exception. Throughout the course of his 13-season career, Subban averaged more than half a point per game (467 in 863 games), making him one of the best offensive defensemen of the 2010s. I believe he has a good case to be admitted. According to me, it takes time.
But Subban’s influence isn’t limited to the rink. It wasn’t for nothing that he won the Clancy last season. On its own, Subban’s philanthropy is impressive and well-documented. Subban gave back to the world in many ways, including through his Blueline Buddies program, his donations to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, and his support of the various charitable endeavors of the teams and communities he played for. He didn’t do it to get recognition or a trophy. He didn’t do this on the side or to boost his public relations. In his retirement speech, Subban even explicitly thanked the NHL for providing “a platform that allowed me to give back thru my charities.” He took these actions because it is who he is as a person. Since he is retired, I would anticipate that it will go on to some extent.
Additionally, I would anticipate Subban to be present in some capacity. I referred to him as a celebrity when the Devils acquired him because, well, he kind of was. True, he isn’t as involved with People, he doesn’t work out with The Rock, and he isn’t with Lindsey Vonn anymore. (However, others acknowledged that he was retired!) Still, both hockey and non-hockey media have always held a special place for Subban. He’s a natural in front of the camera and has already made appearances on ESPN as a talking head and analyst. He’s got entertainment value. Perhaps he takes a little vacation, but I believe he will eventually appear on TV and do well there as well. Subban would be a huge satisfaction to a hockey media that bemoans the sport’s lack of personality—as if many of those media people know anything about what that’s like.
Finally, I would like to stress how popular Subban was. In New Jersey, anyway. On the ice, it doesn’t really matter, but from what I’ve read, Subban was adored in the Devils locker room. During his tenure in Newark, Subban was among the veteran players on the Devils, and he had a great rapport with the team’s emerging young players. While his nicknaming abilities could use some improvement, he was obviously influential among the other young men. Additionally, he never let his annoyances get the better of him or became a bad influence. He didn’t gripe about the decrease in ice time. or moan about not receiving PP work. or cause a rift between the staff and/or players. Did he commit any dubious acts or accept any penalties? Yes, in line with the majority of other hockey players. That doesn’t seem like a good enough excuse to ruin an otherwise positive energy in the locker room and on the rink.
The announcement of Subban’s retirement coincides with a busy day in the hockey world. Keith Yandle and Zdeno Chara both declared their retirements this morning. Right now, Nathan MacKinnon is the NHL player making the most money. Toronto will don a jersey that says “Milk.” The rosters for some teams’ training camps have been revealed. Give the memories of Subban some time to linger before the next event occurs. Regards and best of luck in the future. Pernell Karl Subban.
