P.K. Subban Ends Memorable Career With New Jersey Devils

There must be something in the air on Tuesday. There were three defensemen that had outstanding careers who announced their retirements. Keith Yandle, Zdeno Chara, and P.K. Subban are all hanging them up.

Yandle is the NHL’s all-time leader in consecutive games played. Phil Kessel might break his record early in 2022-23 but there is no doubt that he is a great NHL iron man.

As for Chara and Subban, they are both players that were so good at one point that they won the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL. It is a trio of outstanding players all saying goodbye on one day.

In the case of PK Subban, he got to finish his career with the New Jersey Devils. He had spent the first portion of his career with the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators where he was mostly an elite player. Then New Jersey acquired him ahead of the 2019-20 season.

He wasn’t the same player with the Devils that he was with Montreal and Nashville which was a little bit disappointing over time but there is no doubt that his time there was memorable for him, his family, his teammates, and his fans.

The New Jersey Devils were better for having PK Subban for a few years.

Subban brought the intensity to every single game and it was nice to have him around all of these young players around. Kids like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt were all able to learn something from a player who has accomplished so much in the league.

This was also a player that was so incredible in every community that he played in. Montreal, Nashville, and Newark are better today for having had Subban play there. His off-ice contributions are unlike any player from his era.

Subban’s best individual season came in 2013 as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. As mentioned before, he won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman. In that lockout-shortened season, he had 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points in 42 games played.

His best season in terms of team success came in 2016-17 when he went to the Nashville Predators to the Stanley Cup Final. They were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games but they came so close. It was a magnificent season.

He later played in three seasons with New Jersey as they transitioned into their next core of players. There are going to be lots of players that are better for him being here in the long run.

Subban’s career ends with 115 goals and 352 assists for 467 points in 834 games. He scored all of those points and played defense in an electric way that brought fans out of their seats.

It will be interesting to see what is next for Subban. Based on how his last few offseasons have gone, don’t be surprised if he ends up on TV providing NHL analysis and education to a viewing audience.

He still had something to give to the NHL in terms of playing but he decided to hang them up. For that, he deserves respect as he is ending on his own terms. It didn’t translate to lots of wins but it can’t be said enough how the Devils are better for having had Subban.