Wait, what?
Subban is the reigning Norris winner. He was selected for Team Canada. Hes only 24, and hes already one of the most entertaining talents in the league. He is, to put it bluntly, awesome, and at less than $3 million a year, hes an absolute steal.
So how can he possibly make this list? Because unlike everyone else weve mentioned, his contract is actually too small. Let me explain.
Heading into the 2012-13 season, Subban was a restricted free agent coming off a solid second NHL season. He wanted a long-term deal, but the Montreal front office didnt want to make that sort of commitment. After a brief impasse,5 the Habs got their way. Subban signed an inexpensive two-year deal, after which Montreal would still hold his rights. The Canadiens won, and won big.
Or at least thats what we all thought. (And by we all, I mean me.) There was a risk by passing on the chance to lock down Subban, the Habs risked paying even more if he broke out before his next extension.
You know what happened next. Subban was named the leagues best defenseman that year, and so far this season has largely picked up where he left off. And with his contract up this summer, hes about to get paid. Montreal probably could have signed him for something in the range of $5 million. Now it may end up paying him nearly twice that.
Nobody predicted that Subban would win the Norris, and obviously the Canadiens have to be thrilled he did. But they probably cost themselves a ton of money by winning that contract showdown in 2012.