The P.K. Subban contract saga carries on, as TSN's Darren Dreger reports that there has been no progress made in discussions with the Montreal Canadiens.
P.K. Subban contract: No progress in talks with Canadiens
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that there is no progress in contract negotiations between the Montreal Canadiens and defenseman P.K. Subban.
Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE
Little or no progress made in PK Subban contract negotiations. Habs firm on 2 year deal, roughly $5 mil total. Offer sheet? Trade? Options.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 26, 2013
Subban remains unsigned as part of a group of restricted free agents without a contract, including Colorado's Ryan O'Reilly and Edmonton's Linus Omark. The Dallas Stars signed center Jamie Benn to a five-year, $26.5 million contract on Thursday, as it was expected the first RFA to receive a contract could lead to progress with the other unsigned players. It is believed that Subban could be looking for a similar deal as Benn's.
It appears, however, that the Canadiens and Subban are still miles apart in the contract talks, perhaps as much as $2.5-$3 million apart per year. Renaud Lavoie of RDS reports this morning that the offer from the Canadiens remains the same as it has since last may, at $2.3 million this season and $2.9 million in 2013-2014.
Subban’s agents met with Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on Friday, a meeting that reportedly did not go very well. Subban stated earlier in the week that he wants to be fairly compensated as the top defenseman on the team.
“For my style of game and for what I do for the team, the amount of minutes I play and for what I bring to the table, I have to be fairly compensated,” he explained. “We’re not trying to rob the bank here (in contract talks). We’re not reinventing anything. We’re not holding a gun to the Canadiens’ head saying, ‘Pay us this or we’re walking away.’
The Canadiens, meanwhile, have opened the season 2-1-0 with wins over the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals. Montreal will face the New Jersey Devils at home on Sunday, with puck drop set for 6 p.m. ET.
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