Jack Todd, Montreal Gazette -- 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.
Subban has played in 434 NHL games and has scored 63 goals and 278 points. Subban is ranked 10th all-time on the Canadiens for points by a defenseman.
Weber, on the other hand, has played in 763 games and has scored 166 goals and 443 points. Weber is ranked first overall on the Predators for points by a defenseman.
Looking at this deal, it would appear that the trade is basically a wash. Weber is three years older than Subban. Last season, both players scored 51 points. Over the course, they’ve averaged about the same number of points per game, .Subban has averaged 629 PPG, and Weber has averaged .580 PPG.