Subban: MacKinnon deserves Hart Trophy, is future Hall of Famer

P.K. Subban had nothing but kind words for Nathan MacKinnon after their first-round playoff series ended Sunday night.

The Nashville Predators defenseman gave a long answer lauding the Colorado Avalanche forward after the Predators' 5-0 victory that eliminated the Avalanche in Game 6.

"You guys know I'm biased about (Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne), but in my opinion, (MacKinnon) was the best player in the league this year," Subban said, according to NHL.com's Tracey Myers.

"That's not to take anything away from other guys like Taylor Hall who have had great years," Subban continued.

"But I think for (MacKinnon) and what he's done with this team, a team that's been up and down ... He's just come into his own and he's a phenomenal hockey player. He's so tough to handle, so fast, strong and shifty. My expectation for him as a player is to be a Hall of Famer by the end of his career. He understands that. (I have) just tremendous respect for him. I just told him I hope he takes home that trophy that he deserves as the MVP. He deserves it."

Subban was referring to this conversation they had in the handshake line:

Subban and MacKinnon share a few words. This is why I love sports. #StandWithUs #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/EEXvwZDyyQ

- NHL Prospects Watcher (@Prospects_Watch) April 23, 2018

Subban raised eyebrows during the series when he caught MacKinnon with a blindside punch to the head in Game 3, and then said he'd do it again.

MacKinnon will almost certainly be named one of the three finalists for the Hart Trophy when they're announced Friday.

He tied for ninth in the NHL in goals and placed fifth in points while being limited to 74 games, helping the Avalanche rebound from the worst record in the salary-cap era last season to clinching a playoff berth in 2017-18.

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