Subban brings much love, big energy as NHL All-Star Friday Night host

TAMPA -- P.K. Subban wasn't onstage for long as host of the 2018 Enterprise NHL All-Star Friday Night concert, but he didn't need much time to turn an already excited crowd of more than 11,000 at Curtis Hixon Park into a roaring mass.

The Nashville Predators defenseman threw beads into the audience, as one does during Tampa's annual pirate-themed Gasparilla celebration taking place all weekend, then commanded the stage as he introduced Tampa Bay Lightning legend Dave Andreychuk, 2018 all-star Brayden Point, and his childhood friend and Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. Local radio host Scotty Davis joined him for his two stints introducing the players and opening act Moon Taxi, then the main act Fitz and The Tantrums.
Early on, he hinted that Stamkos might be there, but tried to play coy as the crowd buzzed at the prospect of seeing their hometown hero.
"I'm hearing about Steven Stamkos in the house," Subban told the crowd. "I don't know if he's here. You guys want Stamkos? Is he here? I don't know, I've heard whispers but it's just a rumor. I don't know if he's back there. There's a lot of smoke on this stage, a lot of lights."
Backstage, Subban had run his jokes by Stamkos, who was clearly amused and encouraged him to go for it all. They'd also razzed each other's choice of outfit. Stamkos defended his suit while maintaining Subban in a casual look was mad that he looked better.

Subban brought Andreychuk out to a gushing introduction that the Hall of Fame forward was not expecting.
P.K. Subban with a glowing intro for Lightning legend Dave Andreychuk.](https://www.instagram.com/p/BecVsxml7UM/)
Subban raved about Point, running off all the qualities that made the 21-year-old Tampa Bay forward a rising star in the NHL.
"I hate playing against this guy," Subban said to the crowd. "He's one of your own. He's small, he's fast, he's young, he's got energy, he's got pizazz. He brings intensity, he brings grit, he brings heart -- not as much as me -- but he brings it. This guy, first All-Star Game, breakout season, Tampa Bay I want you to give it up for one of your own."
He ended with a gag that the fans loved about Point's plans for the evening.
Instagram from @cristina.ledra: P.K. Subban brings Lightning All-Star Brayden Point on stage and closes out with this
"That was funny," Point told NHL.com. "He did an awesome job at that. He's obviously a super comfortable guy, but he was rallying the crowd, I thought. He was really getting them going. It was pretty sweet."
When it was time for Stamkos, Subban told the crowd how they'd known each other since they were 8 years old and that their dads still keep in touch.
"He's a good-looking guy and great hockey player," Subban said. "I gotta give him credit because he's come a long way this year from where he was last year at this time. He's had some bumps in his career and battled injuries, but that's what leaders do. Leaders step up and persevere, and you guys got a great one here in Steven Stamkos."
After drawing raucous cheers from the audience as Stamkos walked out by telling fans that this was their chance to tell their captain how much they love him, Subban let his friend address the crowd.
Instagram from @cristina.ledra: Lightning and All-Star Game captain Steven Stamkos joins his old pal P.K. Subban on stage.
There was some down time once Subban introduced Moon Taxi, but he stayed busy in the area below the stage. He spotted a couple of Predators fans up against the fence that were trying to get his attention, then got security to usher them in to meet him.
Wearing their Predators jerseys, Maggie Gibson and Robin Hood, who moved to Tampa from Nashville a month ago, were stunned but grateful for the brief meeting with Subban, who posed for pictures and signed autographs.
For his second and final act, Subban took a few minutes to hype up the All-Star Game festivities for the weekend before bringing out Fitz and The Tantrums, then took a moment to give a shoutout to the fans in Tampa and those back in Nashville before bringing his big night of hosting to a close.
Instagram from @cristina.ledra: P.K. Subban is having a good time at #nhlallstar so far.