One player from each NHL team who should be on the NHL 18 cover

Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
17 of 30
Next
Nov 10, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) during the second period against the St. Louis Blues at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) during the second period against the St. Louis Blues at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Nashville Predators: PK Subban

It hasn’t been the start to the season that Subban, or any of the Nashville Predators, had hoped for. After they made it to the second round of the playoffs, before losing in heartbreaking fashion to the San Jose Sharks, many thought that this was a team that’s on the rise. And the acquisition of P.K. Subban has only bolstered their blue line.

The Predators are the second worst team in the Central Division after getting off to a 6-5-3 start. And even though Subban has struggled out of the gate, he has eight points in 14 games while his counterpart Shea Weber has 13 in 16 games, he’s already a massive star in Nashville. Just look back to when he scored his first goal – the crowd didn’t stop cheering until after the goal announcement:

Subban has always been one of the best personalities in the game, and his actions off the ice are just as well-regarded as his on-ice play. Few will forget the time he donated $10 million out of his salary to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. He’s one of the most recognizable faces in hockey, and someone who would be a perfect video game spokesman.

The Weber trade looks bad for Nashville now, but Subban is still getting settled into his role. He’s generating chances, and is too talented to let this bad start continue for much longer. And while Weber has been great, his goalscoring numbers don’t reflect the fact that the Habs give up a ton of shots on a nightly basis.

It might take until the middle of the season for the Predators to hit their stride, but once they do, the rest of the league better watch out.