It’s clear that Montreal Canadiens fans want star defenceman P.K. Subban on their team for a long time.

However, the 23-year-old restricted free agent and Canadiens brass are currently negotiating a new contract and the two sides are reportedly not yet close to a deal.

During an inter-squad game at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Thursday, over 17,000 fans chanted their desire for the team to re-sign the blueliner — who was a Sportsnet hockey analyst during the NHL lockout.

Subban must sign a contract before the season begins if he is to play in the season opener against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Subban is coming off a three-year entry level contract where his cap hit was $875,000, but he’s expected to get a significant raise in the vicinity of $6 million per season.

Last season he had 36 points.