SubbanESPNscp

P.K. Subban will be an NHL analyst for ESPN for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The New Jersey Devils defenseman, who scored 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 77 games, can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The Devils said in March that Subban would not be offered a contract.
The 32-year-old began his coverage Monday when he joined "The Point" on ESPN2 and ESPN+. Subban also contributed during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs on ESPN.
"I'm not saying I have the talent to be able to work on TV, but it's definitely been something that has been fun because I'm passionate about the game," Subban said during Devils breakup day on May 1. "I'm passionate to be involved in the game and it's a way for me to do that when I'm not playing. So, if I have the time to do it, and it works in my schedule and in my life, I'll definitely participate.
"As far as whether I do it as a career or job, I'll make that decision when my playing days are over. I still have a lot of hockey to play and I'm very passionate about playing and I want to play so that's my number one priority."
In 13 NHL seasons with the Devils, Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens, Subban has scored 467 points (115 goals, 352 assists) in 834 games. He won the Norris Trophy voted as the best defenseman in the NHL in 2012-13 and was a finalist for the award in 2014-15 and 2017-18.
New Jersey (27-46-9) finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division this season, 37 points behind the Washington Capitals for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
Subban was asked to handicap the playoffs during a conference call earlier this month.
"One of the teams that maybe no one's really talking about as much is Tampa Bay," he said. "I mean, there's a lot of good teams out there that have had good seasons. But they're still a championship team and, in my opinion, still the team to beat. It'll be an interesting playoff to watch, but there's a lot of good teams, a ton of parity, and goaltending always seems to be a huge thing in the playoffs."
ESPN and Turner Sports took over national coverage of the NHL in the United States this season, each signing a seven-year contract. The Stanley Cup Final will alternate between ABC and TNT, televised on ABC in 2022, 2024, 2026 and 2028, and on TNT in 2023, 2025 and 2027.
NHL.com staff writer Mike G. Morreale contributed to this report