Habs fans dumbfounded, despairing over P.K. Subban trade to Nashville

Montreal Canadiens fans reacted with shock and anger tothe news Wednesday afternoon that star Habsdefenceman P.K. Subban has been traded to the NashvillePredatorsfor Shea Weber.

Subban thankedMontrealersfor their support via video.

That message, however, was cold comfort tothe many Montrealers who came to love Subban for his spiritedstyle, both on and off the ice.

Top of mind were his contributions to the city, not least of all the $10 million he committed to raisingfortheMontreal Children's Hospital last year.

Shocked Montrealers react to Subban trade

8 years ago

Duration 0:56

P.K. Subban was traded to the Nashville Predators. For Montreal, it's shock and anger all around.

Subban fans took to Twitter in droves to express their despair and even outrage over the trade.

One fan even went so far as to burn his Habsjersey bearing Subban's name and number 76.

Coderre'hyperventilating'

Montreal Mayor Denis told reporters Wednesday thatthe trade "hurts," especially given Subban'sinvolvement with the city.

"He clearly wasn't someone who conformed he strayed from the beaten path but he had a magnificent connection with the people of Montreal, and that's why we loved him," Coderre said.

He also tweeted in Frenchthat the news had him "hyperventilating,"and hewished Subban well.

Bum deal for Habs, fans say

A consensus quickly emerged on Twitter that Nashville came out the winner in the trade, getting a player in his prime for a player many feel is in decline.

Welcome to Nashville, P.K.!

The Predators' pro shop wasted no time makingSubban jerseysavailable for sale, and the team's official Twitter site said the trade was "incredibly hard" butan improvement.

The team'sfans, meanwhile, had mixed feelings, voicingtheir excitement at acquiring Subban whilelamentingWeber's departure.