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Marc Bergevin met with the press for the annual pre-draft press conference, a public appearance which is a perennial occurrence, and was scheduled well in advance. Nearly the entirety of the French- and English-language portions of the talk focused on the buzz about the potential for P.K. Subban to be traded, though the GM firmly snuffed out the idea that he is shopping the fan favourite and is simply doing his job by answering the phone.
Prior to the conference beginning, the Twitter world was aflame with rumours about P.K. Subban being traded. The meeting was initially scheduled for 5:30 and was pushed back to 6:15, and when that time came around, there was still no Marc Bergevin to be seen. Both extremes between "Subban isn't going anywhere" and "Subban likely to be traded" were represented by hockey pundits:
McKenzie: "These are serious calls, and they’re entertaining offers on P.K. Subban." #Habs #Oilers #Canucks https://t.co/PP5zuL2lCH
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) June 23, 2016
The PK Subban trade talk is real, fwiw. I don't know how far along or if anything will happen but it's not just random smoke.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) June 23, 2016
Ray Ferraro says he thinks there's a greater than 50% chance PK Subban changes teams this weekend.
— Platinum Seat Ghosts (@3rdPeriodSuits) June 23, 2016
Hearing #Canadiens Bergevin price remains too high in his bid to trade Subban. Moving up @2016NHLDraft for crack at Dubois remains priority
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) June 23, 2016
Sounds like national and local reporters have very different opinions on what's going on with the Habs. We'll see how this shakes out...
— Sean Coleman (@SColemanCTV) June 23, 2016
McKenzie/Subban: "They've talked to Edmonton. They've talked to Vancouver. I suspect Colorado's spoken to them." #Habs #Avs #Oilers #Canucks
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) June 23, 2016
McKenzie/Subban: 'I think people are realistic enough to realize' that #Canucks are not stockpiled w/ a lot of what #Habs would want.
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) June 23, 2016
Finally pic.twitter.com/gQlX7KLTde
— Mitch Melnick (@HunterZThompson) June 23, 2016
When it began, Bergevin immediately denied that he is shopping Subban. Says he is answering his phone but not actively shopping his superstar player. Here are some quotes and highlights from the presser:
#Habs Bergevin: "I never shopped PK. I never have, I'm not now. But I can't stop teams from calling."
— Chantal (@pucksnlife) June 23, 2016
Bergevin on Subban rumours: "I can't stop teams from calling me." #TSN690
— Conor McKenna (@mckennaconor) June 23, 2016
"I never shopped Subban. Are they creating rumours? Of course. But I don't pay attention to it." - Bergevin
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 23, 2016
Marc Bergevin: "Carey Price is 100%" #TSN690
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) June 23, 2016
#Habs Bergevin: "I'm sure other GMS will continue calling until July 1st. I'll just listen."
— Chantal (@pucksnlife) June 23, 2016
If you are an NHL GM and you thought there was a possibility that you could acquire Subban, you -have- to call. Makes sense.
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 23, 2016
#Habs Bergevin: "We're not in a position where we need to unload assets, cap wise. We've put ourselves in a good position."
— Chantal (@pucksnlife) June 23, 2016
Bergevin on off-season moves: "It's about value. We got to be conservative."
— Sean Coleman (@SColemanCTV) June 23, 2016
Bergevin said the conversations are usually "pretty short" when teams call to ask about Subban. He said he's listening, but not shopping.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 23, 2016
Here's Bergevin in English, on getting calls about P.K. Subban and potential to trade him. #Canadians #NHL #Oilers pic.twitter.com/njjoEkpQuu
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 23, 2016
Bergevin: "You never say never. If someone offers me half his team, then well, you make it work."
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 23, 2016
Asked by @drosennhl if it was realistic a Subban trade could happen, Bergevin answered "No."
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 23, 2016
Bergevin: "He's an All-Star defenceman. He's a good player. If I was with another team, I'd probably be calling about him, too."
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 23, 2016
Bergevin: "This is all about P.K. and I don't know why."
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) June 23, 2016
Marc Bergevin says he's received calls on all of his top players over the years. "All you do is you do your job as a (GM) to listen."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 23, 2016
Bergevin was asked specifically if it's realistic that he will trade Subban. "I would say no," he said.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 23, 2016
Despite his best efforts, it appears Bergevin couldn't quite convince all media that things are more smoke than fire:
This could have been a perfect opportunity for Bergevin to just put an end to the Subban speculation. He didn't. That's something.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) June 23, 2016
I like and respect PK so I wish Bergevin would just say "I am not trading PK" like he said "I'm not firing Michel". July 1 will be a relief.
— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) June 23, 2016
Lost in the mix, Bergevin also fielded a question about how Montreal would draft in the first round on Friday:
Bergevin says the Habs will draft the best player available, regardless of position.
— Sean Coleman (@SColemanCTV) June 23, 2016
Bergevin seemed prepared for what he would face and answered with as much clarity and authority as possible. It certainly seems from what he said that we can expect one of two things to happen. P.K. Subban will remain a Canadien, or else Montreal is somehow going to fleece another team for an amazing return for him. I'm guessing it's the former.