Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban is being patient and is preparing for training camp while his agent discusses a new contract with the team.
Speaking to TSN on Tuesday after he skated in Toronto, the restricted free agent described the process as he awaits a new deal to be negotiated with Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.
"(On Monday) I met with my agent and we had a good discussion, hopefully it continues to be productive as the days go on," explained Subban. "Before a deal can get done, a first agreement is yourself and your agent have to agree on the same things. I think that we clarified everything (on Monday) and we know where we both stand. Now it's his job to go and relay that to Montreal and for him to take it from there."
The 23-year-old blueliner earned $875,000 last season in the final year of his entry-level contract with the Canadiens. He had seven goals and 29 assists in 81 games for Montreal last season.
"We had a long summer to try and get (a new contract) done, it didn't happen," said Subban. "So as far as I'm concerned it's out of my control. I can't offer myself a contract, so at this point now I'm just waiting and making sure that I'm keeping myself in shape so that once I get to training camp I'm ready to go."
Subban isn't showing signs of stress as his first potentially big contract takes shape.
"I've never been worried. You start to worry if you don't take care of things on the ice," said Subban. "I think I've done my job for the past two-and-a-half years ... at this point it's a process and it is a business. Anything can happen but obviously I've expressed an interest in being in Montreal for a long time."
Bergevin has said that signing Subban is one of his top priorities once the new collective bargaining agreement is finalized this week.
