Montreal Canadiens Forward Sparks Debate by Choosing Iconic PK Subban Number
The Montreal Canadiens’ offseason has been anything but quiet. While much of the buzz has centered around their major acquisition of defenseman Noah Dobson, another notable move has now taken center stage—though not entirely for hockey reasons. The Canadiens recently traded young, controversial defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for 22-year-old forward Zack Bolduc. While the deal itself was intriguing on a hockey level—Bolduc scored 19 goals and totaled 36 points during his first full NHL season—it’s his choice of jersey number that has sparked an unexpected wave of debate and criticism in Montreal.
Bolduc, eager to make an impression with his new team, decided to stick with the jersey number he wore in St. Louis. That number, however, carries serious weight in Montreal: it’s the same number once worn by former Canadiens superstar defenseman P.K. Subban. The move has ignited a firestorm of opinion across fan forums, social media, and sports talk shows, dividing Habs fans over whether the young forward showed disrespect or was simply unaware of the symbolic baggage that comes with the number.
Subban, who spent seven memorable seasons with the Canadiens between 2009 and 2016, was not just a fan favorite—he was a larger-than-life personality on and off the ice. Known for his dynamic playing style, charity work (including a historic $10 million pledge to a Montreal children’s hospital), and often polarizing confidence, Subban left a lasting legacy in the city. Although his number has not been officially retired by the franchise, many fans still regard it as sacred.
So when Bolduc chose to wear that same number, many felt it was a tone-deaf decision—especially for a young newcomer who has yet to play a single game for the Canadiens. Critics argue that the organization should have stepped in to assign him a different number out of respect for Subban’s contributions, even if there’s no formal rule in place to protect it. Some fans took to social media to express outrage, accusing Bolduc of disrespect and questioning his awareness of the team’s history. Others were more measured, suggesting the move could have been a simple oversight or an expression of personal preference without malicious intent.
However, not everyone in Montreal is up in arms. A portion of the fanbase sees no problem with Bolduc’s decision and believes that jersey numbers should not be treated as untouchable unless they’ve been officially retired by the team. They argue that Subban, while undoubtedly a significant figure in franchise history, does not have the same level of iconic status as Canadiens legends like Jean Béliveau, Maurice Richard, or Guy Lafleur—players whose numbers are permanently out of circulation.
This camp views Bolduc’s number choice as a non-issue, especially considering the realities of the NHL, where number availability can be limited and preferences vary. For them, the focus should be on Bolduc’s performance on the ice, not the digits on his back. If he can deliver the kind of promise he showed during his rookie campaign in St. Louis, they argue, he’ll earn the respect of Canadiens fans regardless of what number he wears.
That perspective is echoed by some in the hockey media as well. While they acknowledge the symbolic significance of Subban’s number to certain fans, they note that Montreal has never signaled any intention to retire it. From an organizational standpoint, assigning it to a new player—particularly one expected to play a significant role in the team’s future—can be seen as a way of turning the page and ushering in a new chapter.
Still, the controversy speaks to something deeper than just a jersey number. It highlights how emotionally invested Montreal fans are in the team’s history and how closely they guard the legacy of beloved players. In a city where hockey is a near-religion, small gestures can carry major weight. Bolduc’s choice, intentional or not, has placed him under a microscope before he’s even laced up for a Canadiens game.
For Bolduc himself, the early attention could be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, he’s already one of the most talked-about players on the roster, giving him a platform to win over fans with his play. On the other, he faces the added pressure of living up to the expectations that come with wearing a number that some fans associate with one of the most dynamic players in recent team memory. In a city that doesn’t hesitate to let players know when they’ve fallen short, that pressure is real.
Fortunately for Bolduc, Montreal is a city that loves a redemption arc. If he can deliver offensively and help the team move closer to playoff contention, much of the initial uproar will likely fade. Canadiens fans are passionate but also pragmatic; performance on the ice trumps almost everything else. In that sense, Bolduc has a clear opportunity to write his own story in Montreal.
As for P.K. Subban, he has yet to comment publicly on the situation, but knowing his flair for theatrics and media savvy, a response could still come. Whether supportive or critical, any words from Subban would likely carry weight in this discussion, further fanning the flames or perhaps putting them out entirely.
In the grand scheme of things, this number controversy may prove to be a mere footnote in the Canadiens’ season. Still, it serves as a powerful reminder of how closely history and identity are intertwined in Montreal’s hockey culture. For Zack Bolduc, the message is clear: the number on your back matters—but in the end, it’s what you do while wearing it that truly counts.
