OTTAWA - Before P.K. Subban gets back on the ice with the Montreal Canadiens, he better be ready to buy into a new philosophy.
The defenceman joined his team Wednesday in Ottawa for the first time since signing a two-year $5.75 million contract, but was not in the lineup for their game against the Senators.
He took part in the team鈥檚 optional morning skate, and admitted he wasn鈥檛 sure when he would play his first game.
It appears Subban has been given a clear message and if he plans on playing an integral role with the team he鈥檇 better accept the new set of rules.
鈥淭he first thing Marc Bergevin and I did was sit down with (Subban) and explain our philosophy and he understood where we鈥檙e coming from,鈥� Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. 鈥淚t was a good, honest conversation with P.K. and we just want to make sure everyone is on the same page.鈥�
The Canadiens have two days off before playing back-to-back afternoon home games on the weekend against the Buffalo Sabres and Senators, respectively.
鈥淚 felt great today. I鈥檓 going to continue to practice and get ready,鈥� said Subban. 鈥淎s of right now, there鈥檚 no time frame to when I鈥檒l be returning. I don鈥檛 know. It鈥檚 not my decision."
Therrien admitted he has no immediate timetable for Subban鈥檚 return. He said he wouldn鈥檛 make a decision until he had seen Subban in a full practice with his teammates.
鈥淗e appears to be in good condition and that鈥檚 a positive,鈥� said Therrien. 鈥淲hen we can have a practice with our team we鈥檒l have a better idea.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of things he needs to pick up. We play a different system. I want to make sure when he steps on the ice he knows what to do.鈥�
The Canadiens aren't rushing Subban back to ensure the 23-year-old will not disrupt the team鈥檚 chemistry.
Much has been made as to whether or not Subban would be welcomed back with open arms by his teammates, but Therrien says he鈥檚 not concerned. However, he did preach the importance of accepting the team mentality.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a big part of our hockey team, but like everyone I believe you need to come on a team with a good frame of mind and good attitude鈥e want to make sure our team concept stays the same.鈥�
Subban admitted he hasn鈥檛 had a lot of interaction with his teammates, as he didn鈥檛 want to be a distraction prior to the game, but is definitely looking forward to reconnecting.
鈥淲e spoke earlier this morning at breakfast, but I haven鈥檛 seen all the guys,鈥� said Subban. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to wait until after the game when we have two days off so we鈥檒l have plenty of time together.鈥�
Subban has been on the sidelines watching as his teammates stretched a winning streak to four games.
鈥淚 missed everything," he said. "I missed my teammates; I missed the game; I missed the jersey; I missed the fans. This is what I鈥檝e grown up doing my whole life and I look forward to getting back in the mix,鈥� added Subban.
Subban had been looking for a longer contract, but in the end agreed to the shorter deal and said there are no hard feelings.
鈥淭his is my first contract negotiation and I was surprised at how good it was. It was about coming down to an agreement. Right now I鈥檓 just happy to be back. The quicker we can put this stuff behind us the better it鈥檚 going to be for our team and our hockey club. It鈥檚 not about me anymore it鈥檚 about the team and moving forward.鈥�
