- P.K. Subban says the Canadiens are now expected to contend every year
- He called Lane Hutson a “Norris Trophy guy” and named Winnipeg his biggest surprise
- Read below for Subban’s Stanley Cup picks and everything else on his plate
P.K. Subban believes the Canadiens’ window is open right now, and he doesn’t want to hear about waiting a year or two.
Subban was asked about his first NHL team and its three-round run in last season’s playoffs during an NHL.com Q&A with Dave Stubbs.
“I think that every year from here on in, they’re expected to contend,” Subban said. “Montreal is a competitive team now and depending on how the season shakes out, they definitely could be a contender come playoff time.”
The ESPN analyst likes how the Canadiens are built. He called them a fast team that can turn checking into offense in a blink, and said Marty St. Louis is the right coach. His one ask is that every player commits to defense, and he would like to see more size and strength down the middle.
Subban was also asked whether Lane Hutson can become the Canadiens’ first Norris winner since Subban himself in 2013. He wasn’t shy about it.
“We know Lane is a Norris Trophy guy,” Subban said. He added that Hutson will need a “substantial season” and has to finish in the top two or three at his position to get there.
Check out Hutson from Tuesday night, when Montreal faced Buffalo:
Hutson was named the first star that night, one day before the Hutson Bowl loss to Washington:
Asked what has surprised him most so far, Subban picked the Jets. Winnipeg is 4-2-2 even though Connor Hellebuyck has been suspended the whole way.
“Winnipeg is my biggest surprise so far,” he said.
Subban was then asked for a Stanley Cup pick. He would love to see Montreal win it, but his list of teams built for an 84-game season is Washington, Carolina, Florida and Vegas.
He also has a lot going on away from the desk. Subban is the star and executive producer of CBC’s animated Screech Owls series, which the NHL announced earlier this month for Fall 2027:
A second CBC series called “Junior,” inspired by his own path from junior hockey to Montreal, is also on the way in 2027.
