PK Subban Announces His Retirement From NHL

The retirement news continues to come out of the NHL. First, it was Keith Yandle. Followed by Zdeno Chara. Now at age 33, P.K. Subban has announced his retirement from the NHL. Subban announced his retirement via Instagram and Twitter.

More retirement announcements as PK Subban is hanging them up at the age of 33. #gohabsgo #njdevils #preds #nhl pic.twitter.com/6M9boN5qRp

• Ep 50: Tampa Bay Lightning, Calgary, Playoff Races, Deadline Final Thoughts

  by Full Press Coverage on March 11, 2023 at 12:40 pm

  Jim and Chris discuss the Lightning's struggles, the Calgary Flames, and […]

— Full Press Hockey (@FullPressNHL) September 20, 2022

PK Subban Announces Retirement

Over his 13 seasons in the NHL, Subban recorded 467 points (115 goals and 352 assists) in 834 regular season games with the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and New Jersey Devils. In addition, Subban played in 96 playoff games recording 62 points (18 goals and 44 assists). He was known for his skating and rocket of a shot.

Originally drafted by the Canadiens 43rd overall in the 2007 NHL Draft, Subban made a name for himself with the Canadiens. He was a fast and electric player that brought a personality to the game it had not seen before. Subban was exactly what the Canadiens needed at the time when he came into the league. He played the game the same way every day until the day he retired.

“I remember my dreams of playing in the NHL and winning (the) Stanley Cup, similar to the guys on the ‘Don Cherry‘s Rock’Em Sock’em (Hockey)’ tapes at the end of every volume, with the black eyes, broken bones and tears of joy,” Subban wrote on Twitter. “To this day, I still dream about it. However, the end of this chapter is closing and after 13 years in the NHL, I have made the decision to retire.”

Time in Montreal

Subban always knew what his worth was in Montreal. And the fans recognized it as well. Not only what he brought on the ice but off it as well. More later on that. After then setting a career-highs during the 2010-11 season and backing it up the following year, Subban signed a two-year deal with Montreal getting a pay increase from his entry-level deal. Subban only got better as a defenceman in Montreal. His points increased as he was a crucial member not only for the Canadiens defence but their offence as well. Subban won the Norris Trophy as the NHL Best Defenceman in 2013. The following season, Subban followed that up with a 53-point effort as the Canadiens went to the Eastern Conference Final. That playoff season Subban recorded a career-high 14 points. Subban took the Canadiens-Bruins rivalry to a whole new level when he was in Montreal.

For me? I give you the most underrated, and arguably the flat-out best showtime moment of our generation. The one minute distillation of rivalry, emotion, and playoff hockey – PK Subban vs. Boston in Round 2, 2014 https://t.co/ijd5LOghdv pic.twitter.com/1vj7gmKM6x

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) April 24, 2021

After setting career highs in points (60), goals (15) and assists (45), Subban and the Canadiens relationship hit a rocky road. Heading into the 2014 off-season Subban and the Canadiens were at odds over a new contract, that is where many feel the relationship went south. However, the two parties agreed on an eight-year, $72 million contract that ran through this past season (2021-22). The AAV was $9 million a season. Two seasons later the Canadiens traded Subban to Nashville in a blockbuster deal for Shea Weber.

Around Full Press Coverage

NHL: Zdeno Chara Retires From NHL

NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars

NHL: NHL Training Camp Preview: Can Islanders and Rangers Find Success in 2022?

NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored

PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recap

Time In Nashville

The Predators acquired the defenceman in the summer of 2016. And it paid dividends right away. Subban’s production remained high. And like with Montreal, the Predators let Subban be Subban on defence. He helped the Predators go to the Stanley Cup Final. In that season, Subban recorded a career-high 16 goals in the regular season. In the playoffs, Subban finished with 12 points in 22 playoff games.

Off to New Jersey

Subban played the final three seasons of his career with the New Jersey Devils. At the 2019 NHL Draft, the Devils traded for Subban. Though he was on the decline, he gave the Devils a veteran presence on the backend. As he mentioned several times, he had the most fun playing in New Jersey.

Off the Ice

As previously mentioned, Subban is not only known for his on-ice career but his off-the-ice career as well. He’s made charitable donations to the children’s hospital in Montreal. Subban announced a commitment to raise $10 million for the Montreal Children’s Hospital by the year 2022 (this year). Even when he was in Nashville and New Jersey, he still had a commitment to them. Not to mention he introduced P.K.’s Blue Line Buddies” which focused on building better relations between law enforcement and inner-city youths, by treating a police officer, a youth and their guests to a Predators’ home game. Subban continued that program in New Jersey. Because of this program, Subban won the King Clancy Award in 2022, which goes to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.

Next Venture for Subban

When the Devils were eliminated from playoff contention, Subban joined ESPN for the Stanley Cup Playoffs as an analyst. He fit perfectly into the NHL media with his personality. While some people are shocked by his retirement decision, this really is not a shock because of his next venture lined up. According to NHL COO Steve Mayer on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, he announced: “PK Places” for the upcoming season which will debut in Spring of 2024.

Subban is the perfect guy to make the leap from playing to TV. The NHL needs new personalities, especially ones with flair and he is the perfect fit to do it. A great career on the ice will lead to a successful one off the ice.