Canadiens GM says he's not shopping Subban

BUFFALO -- P.K. Subban has been the topic of trade conversations Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin has been having with other GMs, but Bergevin said those conversations have been short and he is not trying to trade the defenseman.
"When a GM calls me, I don't know what he's calling me about, so I answer the phone," Bergevin said. "Yes, I've received calls on P.K., but I'm not shopping P.K. Subban, I can tell you that."

Subban's potential availability has come up in trade rumors the past few days, including a report Thursday from the Edmonton Journal that said Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli is pursuing a trade for Subban and could be willing to include the No. 4 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, which opens Friday at First Niagara Center (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports). The Canadiens have the No. 9 pick.
Subban, 27, has six years left on an eight-year contract he signed on Aug. 2, 2014, that's worth $72 million, an average annual value of $9 million. A no-movement clause will kick in July 1 and last for the remainder of the contract, according to Sportsnet.

Bergevin would not divulge the nature of the discussions he is having with other GMs, but when asked if it's realistic that he would trade Subban, he said, "I would say no."
"Of course you never say never," he later said. "If somebody offered me half of their team, well, you know, you have to make it work. But it's not my intention."
Bergevin scoffed when he was asked what it would cost another team to acquire Subban.
"I don't even want to go there," he said.
Bergevin said he is not surprised other GMs have inquired about Subban, who had 51 points in 68 games this season and won the Norris Trophy in 2013.
"I can't speak for what they're calling me on and what they think, but he's an All-Star defenseman," Bergevin said. "He's extremely good, so if I would be another team I would be calling too."

On Tuesday in Las Vegas, Subban said he is not focused on the trade rumors and is committed to the Canadiens.
"I never get nervous or concerned about rumors or what people say," Subban said. "If I did that, I would be wasting a lot of energy. At the end of the day, I love Montreal, I love the city. I mean there is not much else that I can do but train and enjoy my summer."
Montreal had a strong start to the season but stumbled when goalie Carey Price was injured. The Canadiens finished with 82 points, 11 short of third place in the Atlantic Division and 14 out of the second wild-card spot into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
"Since I've been in Montreal, his game has improved a lot," Bergevin said of Subban. "Last year as a team, and I'm sure not blaming P.K. Subban, but as a team we didn't get the job done and we have to reload for next year."