Look I’ll admit I love P.K. Subban. I’ve even been a P.K. Subban apologist at times. For all the criticism he gets on the ice, his personality and community involvement have won me over. Even if we wish he would play like that Norris Trophy winner he was in 2013 with the Montreal Canadiens, he’s still a guy we find ourselves rooting for.
Some of us might root for him because he’s a nice guy who seems like he’s a lot of fun to be around. Some of us might root for him because we’re stuck with his $9,000,000 cap-hit as New Jersey Devils fans’, and we really don’t have a choice.
Well unfortunately, or fortunately depending on what side you are on, P.K. Subban’s time with the Devils might be winding down. He was officially left of the New Jersey Devils’ protection list. We’ve heard a lot of reasons why the Kraken might not pick Subban, but there’s a few reasons behind why he might be perfect for the NHL’s 32nd team.
Why Wouldn’t Seattle Want P.K. Subban?
You probably already know the reasons, but let’s review them. For one, Subban’s play has declined since that 2013 Norris Trophy winning season. When the Devils acquired him, it was with the expectation he would have a “bounce-back” year. Two seasons later we’re still waiting to see that bounce-back.
More importantly is his cap hit of $9,000,000. With the NHL cap staying the same that’s simply too large of a contract to move for most teams. Seattle can definitely take it on as the NHL’s new kids on the block, but word on the street is they want to stay away from large contracts. Then again, that little bit of reporting was specifically in reference to players from the Nashville Predators. Just because Seattle doesn’t want to take on their big contracts, might not necessarily mean they won’t take on any one’s big contracts.
Why Would They Want P.K. Subban?
Even if Connor McDavid is the league’s best player, you get the feeling that P.K. Subban is the “face” off the NHL. His dynamic personality and media presence make him the perfect cornerstone to get attention to the new team and build a fan base. Hockey fans and sports fans are already excited for the Seattle Kraken, and don’t need to be convinced to go and watch games. Some other fair weather fans in the area may be won over with the attention only P.K. Subban seems to bring.
The buzz around expansion teams is always huge, and we expect Kraken games to be sold out for the foreseeable future. What if that initial hype dies down? How can the Kraken ensure long-term success? If you want to build a lasting fan base, you need someone like P.K. Subban to be the face of the franchise and go on local talk shows, promotions, appearances etc.
Let’s not forget there was even a question if Seattle could support a team. Remember, the greatest sports story to come out of Seattle before the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl was the city’s NBA team the Seattle Supersonics’ relocating to become the Oklahoma City Thunder. When’s the last time you saw a Seattle Mariners game that didn’t look less than half full? The earlier the Kraken build up and solidify a fanbase, the easier it is to avoid the cautionary tales provided by the city’s other teams.
Also, the Kraken are going to want to get involved with community outreach right away. For all the criticism he takes for his on ice performance and social media presence, Subban has remained committed to community outreach through his Blueline Buddies program. After being traded from the Nashville Predators he continued the program with the Devils, and would presumably do so with the Kraken. Also, remember his work in Montreal continued after his trade. Wherever Subban goes he make a difference in the community.
Face Of A Franchise
As I write this article, Derek Jeter comes to mind. Am I saying Subban is as good in the game of hockey as Jeter was in the game of baseball? Absolutely not, but there is a similarity. Jeter was the face of not only the New York Yankees, but of all of baseball as a whole. Even if you didn’t know baseball, or didn’t watch baseball, you knew who Derek Jeter is.
Does P.K. Subban have that same star power that transcends fandom? He doesn’t if you compare it to the level of celebrity Jeter had. If you went up to a bunch of non-hockey fans and showed them the list of players available in the expansion draft, most who probably recognize P.K. Subban more than any other. The Kraken wouldn’t just be selecting and buying into Subban’s one ice performance, but the marketing opportunities he provides.