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Nashville Predators: A Retrospective on David Poile’s Biggest Trades

By Eamon Smith

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 7: Nashville Predators general manager David Poile walks with John Hynes prior to his first game as the new head coach of the Nashville Predators against the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena on January 7, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 7: Nashville Predators general manager David Poile walks with John Hynes prior to his first game as the new head coach of the Nashville Predators against the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena on January 7, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 13: Craig Smith #15 celebrates his overtime goal with Rocco Grimaldi #23, Mattias Ekholm #14, Calle Jarnkrok #19 and P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators against the Dallas Stars in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 13: Craig Smith #15 celebrates his overtime goal with Rocco Grimaldi #23, Mattias Ekholm #14, Calle Jarnkrok #19 and P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators against the Dallas Stars in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Trade #12: Nashville Predators acquire PK Subban from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Shea Weber. (June 29, 2016)

The trade is one for one. These iconic words rang in the minds of Predators fans all offseason with a pair of revelations; the departure of a franchise icon in captain Shea Weber, and the arrival of a flashy young star to take his place in PK Subban.

Subban is much maligned by Nashville fans now, which I personally feel is totally unreasonable, but at the time the fanbase was excited to see a Norris winner and still young Subban bring his electric offensive abilities to Bridgestone Arena.

Subban had a slow start in Nashville, but ended up heading into the playoffs hot and led the Predators’ elite defensive core in the 2017 cup run. In the following season, he would play with Norris caliber ability yet again, helping the franchise to its first President’s Trophy.

After a declining season, he was ultimately traded to New Jersey, while Weber remains in Montreal, but the influence Subban had on the franchise and the role he played in elevating the Predators to a nationally recognized brand cannot be diminished.

Weber’s departure was crushing to many; he was the team’s captain, arguably the greatest player in franchise history alongside Pekka Rinne, and still had been a great defenseman. His time in Montreal has been fraught with injury, but Weber has still been largely his productive self when healthy, churning out slapshot goals, solid defense, physical play, and excellent leadership.

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