With every win the Nashville Predators register in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, critics of the Montreal Canadiens’ decision to trade P.K. Subban to Nashville are given more ammunition.
Don Cherry says that’s not exactly fair.
“Everybody is giving Montreal heck,” Cherry said of the Canadiens’ trade of Subban for fellow defenceman Shea Weber. “He acts different now than he did in Montreal — he’s more of a hockey player. Somebody’s got a hold of him.”
Subban was criticized often while in Montreal for his exuberance on the ice and during pre-game warmups. That’s since changed with Subban now a major contributor to the Predators, who with Friday’s win, are now up 1-0 over the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Final.
“I think he’s more effective now than he’s ever been,” said Cherry.
Speaking of players shedding past labels, Cherry also heaped praise on Pittsburgh Penguins winger Phil Kessel, who was visibly upset during the first period of Saturday’s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Ottawa Senators, apparently frustrated at a mistake he made on a pass from teammate Evgeni Malkin.
Kessel was seen with his head in his arms on the bench, then asked Penguins personnel to hand him a tablet so he could review the play himself.
“You people who say Kessel is not into the game and doesn’t care,” said Cherry about the former Toronto Maple Leaf, “Watch him on the bench.”
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