Subban was unable to skate Wednesday due to an upper-body injury that's sidelined him for the past five games, and he'll therefore miss Thursday's home game against Chicago and Friday's date in St. Louis.
Nashville's next game after that is Jan. 3 at home to Montreal, one that has been circled on the calendar since this past summer's Shea Weber trade.
Speaking to 102.5 FM in Nashville on Tuesday, general manager David Poile neither confirmed nor denied a report from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that Subban is dealing with a herniated disc.
"We do everything we can to protect the player," Poile said, per NHL.com. "I say almost every team just announces their injuries as either an upper- or lower-body injury. That's because when a player comes back, he's not always 100 percent, and if you knew exactly what was wrong with the player, a player on another team might go after that body part to see if they could re-injure it."
Poile added Subban was scheduled to meet with doctors Tuesday to evaluate the situation.
Subban has not played since Dec. 15 after recording seven goals and 10 assists in his first 29 games with the Predators.
The New Jersey Devils forward won't play Thursday due to lower-body injury, the club announced, while also noting the ailment is not related to knee surgery he had earlier in the season, or his mouth, after Hall took a high stick Tuesday. He's day to day.
When healthy, he's been very good, with 23 points in 27 games. Travis Zajac leads the team in points with 24 in 35 games.
Hall returned in fine form after missing eight games due to his knee injury. He has three goals and eight assists in 13 games in December.
The Devils also announced that Vernon Fiddler will be out three-to-four weeks with a lower-body injury. The 36-year-old has a goal and two assists in 35 games.
There are two common interpretations of Sidney Crosby's calendar season - one reasoned, the other fanciful.
The more measured rationalization is his revival was a response to a new voice with fresh ideas brought in just before the calendar flipped. Mike Sullivan shook up the stagnancy in Pittsburgh and awakened an elite talent hibernating within an inapt system.
What requires spin is the notion that Crosby felt slighted. The industry that exalted him was now enamored with someone else, and Connor McDavid's rise was both a challenge and opportunity to quiet critics having careless assertions validated by his poor play.
Either explanation would be too simplistic by itself. Instead, a combination of factors contributed to this hockey genius, making for a year as important to his legacy as any previous.
With two champagne-soaked celebrations, three major-trophy hoists, and a goal-scoring rate unlike we've seen in a decade, Crosby was the story in hockey in 2016.
Here's why:
The drive
To tell the whole story, we have to start with the nightmarish circumstances of this time last year. Crosby had six goals in 28 games through the first two months, his struggles emblematic of a Penguins team ranked fourth-to-last in NHL scoring after upgrading one of the league's most expensive top sixes with the addition of Phil Kessel.
Crosby's well-chronicled struggles meant name recognition wasn't going to earn him an All-Star nod. And soon after rosters were finalized without his inclusion, the connection was established that John Scott, he of five career goals, would have as many appearances at the NHL's showcase as the greatest player in the world due to Crosby missing four of his five All-Star selections with injury.
By this point there was no shame, because Crosby had begun to score. He boosted his average output by a half-point within six weeks of Sullivan's hiring, and it continued to accelerate as Pittsburgh established itself as the top team in hockey over the final four months.
Crosby scored 30 goals and an NHL-best 66 points in 52 games during the Penguins' drive to the postseason, and they finished with the No. 2 seed in the East and with the NHL's third-ranked attack.
Games
Goals
Assists
Points
P1
52
30 (2)
36 (6)
66 (1)
51 (1)
The run
As the top-performing team through the season's final two thirds, as reflected through metrics and record, the Penguins entered the tournament as title favorites.
Crosby was the driving force in seeing them live up to that expectation.
He was most productive in the swift disposal of the Rangers in Round 1. Crosby scored three goals and recorded eight points in five games, helping set up a titanic clash with Presidents' Trophy winners from Washington. He was held in check in that series, but the Penguins' supporting cast provided the offense. He then scored three game-winning goals against the Lightning in the conference finals, starting with an overtime winner in Game 2. Timely contributions helped Pittsburgh advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in seven seasons.
Crosby failed to score against the Sharks, but orchestrated Conor Sheary's overtime goal in Game 2 to earn a 2-0 stranglehold, and later added two assists in the decisive Game 6. The voting committee saw beyond his sixth-place finish in playoff scoring, awarding Crosby his first Conn Smythe Trophy on the merit of his supreme, two-way, scoring chance-dominant performance throughout the spring.
He hoisted the second Stanley Cup of his career moments later. This lift he would make sure to savor.
For Canada
As the only player to captain nations to Olympic and World Championship gold and have a Stanley Cup, Crosby had a unique opportunity to add something new to his brimming international portfolio this summer at the rebirth of the World Cup of Hockey.
In a tournament engineered to showcase the NHL's premiere talent, it was, most appropriately, Crosby who stood out most.
He scored three goals and a tournament-best 10 points, and anchored the event's most dominant line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. He was named MVP as Canada navigated the tournament to a perfect 6-0 record and won its third straight best-on-best competition.
87's return
The most fascinating aspect of Crosby's calendar season is that even after winning that legacy-cementing second Stanley Cup, and claiming an outstanding title for his international mantle, what's happening right now is arguably the most impressive.
There was genuine reason to fear for the future when he had to sit out the first few weeks of this season with a concussion, and tackle the symptoms that cost him a considerable chunk of his career.
But when he was cleared soon after the diagnosis, he returned at a level beyond the previous nine months; Crosby's been the most productive, the most innovative, and the purist goal scorer in the NHL.
Crosby has 25 goals in 30 games for a 68-goal pace across a full 82-game campaign. His career high is 51. He's one point behind McDavid for the scoring lead despite starting his season Oct. 25, and by virtue of goals and first assists, he's been the truest scorer with 35 primary points.
Goals
Goals/Game
Shooting %
Points/60
25 (1)
0.83 (1)
23.8
4.18 (1)
In sum
Still with two games on the schedule in 2016, Crosby will, in all likelihood, add on to his exceptional totals. But here they are to this point:
Crosby has scored 52 goals and 99 points in 74 regular-season games, and 118 points in 98 games if you include the playoffs. His average output falls above his career standard, but actually doesn't rank in his top five calendar years. However it does disrupt his trajectory in a major way.
Year
Games
Goals
Assists
Primary Points
2016
98
58 (1)
60 (4)
94 (1)
2015
84
28 (35)
49 (16)
56 (18)
2014
85
26 (40)
66 (2)
58 (19)
* All stats include playoffs
As alluded to above, where Crosby's numbers do compare favorably to his best calendar seasons are in goals. His 0.70 per game in 2016 is second only to his colossal 2010.
In 2017, Crosby will hit the 1,000-point mark - he's only 21 away. Another milestone and another year in what's already a Hall of Fame career.
With every game that passes, Artemi Panarin continues to prove his worth to the Chicago Blackhawks. The problem is, some serious work will need to be done to fit the soon-to-be restricted free agent under the salary cap.
Here are some things to consider ahead of his next contract:
The Bread Man giveth
With an assist in Tuesday's loss to Winnipeg, Panarin extended his point streak to eight games, boosting his exceptional career numbers to date.
Since joining the Blackhawks in 2015-16, Panarin - who's since been dubbed "Bread Man" - sits in a tie for seventh among all players in points per game during that span.
Player
Games
Goals
Assists
Points/GP
Patrick Kane
119
56
85
1.18
Sidney Crosby
110
61
65
1.15
Connor McDavid
81
29
61
1.11
Evgeni Malkin
93
42
57
1.06
Jamie Benn
118
51
68
1.01
Tyler Seguin
108
44
63
0.99
Artemi Panarin
117
45
69
0.97
Erik Karlsson
117
23
91
0.97
Vladimir Tarasenko
115
56
56
0.97
Johnny Gaudreau
106
39
64
0.97
In terms of total production, Panarin's 114 points put him in a tie with Karlsson for fourth, behind only Kane, Crosby and Benn, and his performance as a rookie earned him the 2016 Calder Trophy.
The fact that the 25-year-old has yet to miss a game due to injury or otherwise gives him a higher total, but drops him down average-wise in relation to the truly elite.
What's he worth?
Two names that jump out from the list as comparables for Panarin's next contract are Vladimir Tarasenko and Johnny Gaudreau, both of whom signed long-term extensions as pending restricted free agents.
Back in July 2015, Tarasenko signed an eight-year deal with St. Louis worth $60 million, carrying a cap hit of $7.5 million. Gaudreau's deal came in at six years and $40.5 million - a $6.75-million cap hit.
Again, Panarin shares a points-per-game average with these two star players, but has outperformed them in total points, and is two years older, meaning he's in his prime.
According to section 10.1 of the CBA, and confirmed by multiple sources, Panarin is two seasons away from becoming an unrestricted free agent, which would be heading into the 2019-20 season. So, an eight-year deal that kicks in next season buys out six years of unrestricted free agency compared to, say, the one year of unrestricted free agency the Gaudreau deal bought the Flames. The Tarasenko deal, even at eight years, only bought out four years of unrestricted free agency.
A deal similar to Tarasenko's is certainly a fair ask for Panarin, and even that might be on the low end. It should also be noted that at his age, and based on his track record, a team-friendly bridge contract seems unlikely.
What can Chicago afford?
In order for Panarin to remain with the Blackhawks - which he said he wants - he's probably not going to make Tarasenko money, falling closer in line with Gaudreau.
Chicago, of course, has several big-ticket contracts on the books, and general manager Stan Bowman has had to jettison several players in recent years to keep the core intact.
Chicago will have several free agents to re-sign or part ways with at season's end, but among that group, Brian Campbell's $1.5-million deal is the greatest, meaning cap space won't come without moving one of the players mentioned above.
So what's the deal?
All things considered, Panarin appears in line to sign a six-to-eight-year contract worth an annual average salary of approximately $7 million - a deal that would make him the Blackhawks' third-highest-paid player.
But again, in order for that to happen, one of the eight players mentioned above will likely have to be traded, with Seabrook and Crawford standing out as the more likely candidates.
An X-factor is the possibility of an offer sheet, which Panarin would be within his rights to sign if he really wants to cash in.
As a refresher, here's what the compensation looked like based on 2015-16 average salaries:
$5,478,986 to $7,305,316: First-, second-, and third-round pick
$7,305,316 to $9,131,645: Two first-round picks and a second- and third-round pick.
$9,131,645 and above: Four first-round picks
A team desperate for star power could sign him to a deal Chicago would be hard-pressed to match, but at the risk of losing significant draft assets.
If Panarin continues to shine - and there's no reason to believe he won't - his contract situation will be one of the more fascinating stories in 2017.
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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Wednesday, Dec. 28 (all advanced stats are at 5-on-5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):
Triple Threat
C Sidney Crosby (71K), LW Conor Sheary (32K) and D Justin Schultz (32K), Penguins (vs. Hurricanes) : On a small slate, selecting Crosby, the NHL's leading goal scorer, isn't a bad place to start. Sheary has managed three goals and seven assists in December, despite not seeing first-unit power play time with Crosby and Schultz, who has been on better than a point-per-game pace filling in for the injured Kris Letang.
C Aleksander Barkov (61K), RW Jaromir Jagr (58K) and D Michael Matheson (29K), Panthers (vs. Maple Leafs): Barkov has been Mr. Consistent, recording a point in all but two December games. Linemate Jagr has five assists in his last three games, and Matheson has three fewer points than Keith Yandle despite far less power play time. The Leafs allow the fourth-most scoring chances and the third-most expected goals against per 60 minutes.
C Robby Fabbri (34K), RW Vladimir Tarasenko (79K) and D Alex Pietrangelo (31K), Blues (vs. Flyers): Any combo involving Tarasenko, the priciest non-goalie on the slate, is bound to get expensive, so LW Alex Steen (53K) is eschewed in favor of Fabbri, who skates with the Russian sniper on the power play. Pietrangelo often sees ample special teams time as well, which should help if the Blues can't take advantage of the Flyers' fourth-worst 5-on-5 save percentage.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET: Carey Price (76K), Canadiens (at Lightning): Just a shade above the absolute minimum salary, the consensus best goaltender in the world will undoubtedly be a popular option. Price stopped 30 of 31 shots in an early-season victory over the Lightning, and should Tampa Bay remain without the injured Nikita Kucherov (among others), another win looks to be a strong possibility.
BARGAIN: Peter Budaj (75K), Kings (at Canucks):Vancouver is one of the NHL's lowest-scoring teams and ranks sixth-worst in expected goals for per 60 minutes. The defensively-sound Kings don't allow much in the way of scoring chances, helping Budaj to a 15-8-3 record. He has already beaten the Canucks once this season and owns a .919 save percentage and a 2.04 GAA.
FADE: Carter Hutton (96K), Blues (vs. Flyers): The seldom-used Hutton has stumbled to a .893 save percentage and a 2.93 GAA in 11 games (seven starts), recording two wins. It's a mystery why he's priced ahead of far more established names, especially against the potent Flyers.
CONTRARIAN: Roberto Luongo (107K), Panthers (vs. Maple Leafs): Luongo is hard to beat at home, holding an 8-4-1 record and a .926 save percentage through 13 starts. Toronto ranks third in shots for per 60 minutes, so Luongo should have a chance to rack up the save points.
Bargain Plays
RW Bryan Rust (25K), Penguins (vs. Hurricanes): Playing on Pittsburgh's top line with Crosby and Sheary at even strength, Rust hasn't let a lack of time with the man advantage slow him down, scoring seven goals and added three assists over his last 10 games. A hat trick and a separate one-goal, one-assist outing in that stretch showed some explosive upside.
D Jaccob Slavin (25K), Hurricanes (at Penguins): Slavin should see an increased power-play role with Justin Faulk out of action. The 22-year-old has six assists in his last 10 games, with three of them coming on the man advantage.
LW Phillip Danault (25K), Canadiens (at Lightning): Considered a left winger in Squad Up, Danault is centering Montreal's first line with Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov, a prime spot for fantasy relevance. Despite a lack of power-play time, he has taken advantage of his new role, recording a goal and five assists over his last eight games.
Top Fades
C Anze Kopitar (60K), Kings (at Canucks): With Tyler Toffoli out of the lineup, Kopitar's wingers on the top line are Dustin Brown and Devin Setoguchi, a duo that has a combined 24 points in 60 games. Kopitar himself has managed just 16 points in 29 contests, so until the Kings' depth improves, he looks unlikely to justify such a hefty price tag.
D Shea Weber (54K), Canadiens (at Lightning): Weber has just one point in December, but his salary is still inflated from his early-season scoring run. Despite his propensity for blocked shots and hits, he's hard-pressed to live up to his price without getting on the score sheet with more regularity. Lightning G Andrei Vasilevskiy has fared well at home, holding a .928 save percentage through eight appearances.
RW Alexander Radulov (59K), Canadiens (at Lightning): Radulov is priced like a goal scorer, but has only found the back of the net six times through 32 games, and hasn't notched a point in six straight outings. The above-mentioned Danault offers some bargain-priced exposure to Montreal's top line without the risk of spending up for Radulov.
Contrarian Options
RW Wayne Simmonds (60K), Flyers (at Blues): In the midst of a four-game scoring drought, interest in Simmonds may be lower than usual, but he has a great shot at a rebound performance against Hutton. Should Simmonds find the score sheet, his hits and penalty minutes will only accentuate his Squad Up output.
C Evgeni Malkin (69K), Penguins (vs. Hurricanes): Malkin, by virtue of sharing a center spot with Crosby, likely gets ignored more than he should in Squad Up. But Malkin has 19 points in December, with multi-point efforts in seven of 13 games.
LW Tanner Pearson (46K), Kings (at Canucks): Despite 23 shots on goal, Pearson hasn't scored in 15 games, though he does have five assists in that stretch. With a prime first-unit power play role alongside Kopitar and Jeff Carter, his goal drought should end before too long.
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theScore will be giving out fantasy report cards discussing the fantasy value of key players on each of the 30 teams. This edition focuses on the Montreal Canadiens.
Despite the odd disaster outing, Price has come as advertised. In 25 starts, he is 18-5-2 with a superhuman .934 save percentage. With injuries and uncertain sources of scoring, Price still manages to scrape wins off the ice. He's the best goaltender on the planet and is the only one worth trusting with this sporadic team in front of him. Grade: A+
LW Max Pacioretty
Pacioretty went through a severe goal-scoring drought with only one goal over an 11-game stretch between late October and early November. He turned a corner in December, though he is still looking more like a boom-or-bust candidate. His propensity to take several shots per game helps, and he's been finding twine at a better rate than he did in his slow start. Grade: B-
RW Alexander Radulov
No complaints here. Radulov's relatively low goal totals are easy to ignore because of his expertise in setting up his teammates. He started slowly, but he has not been held off the score sheet often, though he had a rough road trip to finish November. He's one of the few Canadiens worth rostering on a daily basis even if his upside is limited without the goals. Grade: A
RW Brendan Gallagher
Hampered by a poor shooting percentage, Gallagher has not developed into a consistent scorer. He's provided a decent floor, but after scoring twice on opening night, he hasn't gone back to the well often enough, including a six-game point-less streak in early November. He won't cost much, but the returns aren't inspiring. Grade: C
C Alex Galchenyuk
Before the knee injury, Galchenyuk had established himself as the Canadiens' most consistent fantasy option. He had only been held without a point in consecutive games once and had tallied five multi-point offerings. His ceiling wasn't reaching elite status, but he was as dependable as they come for cash-game options. Grade: A
LW Paul Byron
Byron established a career high with 11 goals in 2015-16 and has already matched it. His high shooting percentage (23.9) suggests a correction is going to come soon, but he's been the bargain play of the season. Exceeding expectations, any extra fantasy value is gravy. Grade: A-
C Tomas Plekanec
The Montreal mainstay is having his worst offensive season, leaving him on the cutting room floor in all fantasy formats. Plekanec's 4.8 shooting percentage is largely to blame as it's comically below his career numbers. He can't be trusted. Grade: F
D Shea Weber
The prize of the P.K. Subban acquisition paid immediate dividends when he first suited up for the Canadiens and, like many teammates, his offensive numbers cooled after a hot start. Weber adds a couple blocked shots per game, so he maintains value even when he's not scoring. Expected offensive regression has settled in with only one point in his last 12 games. Grade: B
D Andrei Markov
A cheaper alternative to Weber on most nights for the right reasons. He's less likely to score as he takes fewer shots, but he makes up for it with a smattering of assists and leads the team in helpers. Eventually, Markov is going to fall off due to age, but it hasn't happened yet. A limited ceiling prevents him from being a tournament option. Grade: B+
Player to Watch - LW Artturi Lehkonen
The rookie has played in 25 games and has seen some success. Five of his seven goals have come in 11 December games. His playing time jumped briefly, and settled back to under 14 minutes per game over his last five. Should injuries continue to pile up, Lehkonen has some serious upside, though he's only sporadically taking enough shots.
Nearing the end of 2016 - a year in which the Pittsburgh Penguins goalie watched rookie Matt Murray backstop the team to a Stanley Cup, Fleury did his best to leave a mark with a diving stick save against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
The save was one of 21 made by Fleury in Pittsburgh's 5-2 win.
