PK Subban joins ESPN as an analyst!

This just in from New York Post columnist Andrew Marchand, ESPN has hired New Jersey Devils defenceman P.K. Subban to serve as an analyst for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The flamboyant blueliner will make his ESPN debut this evening on Sportscenter.

Check it out:

Additionally, Marchand reports that longtime NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes has been hired as a full-time analyst by ESPN.

As for Subban, it'll be interesting to see how he takes to the role. He obviously has no fear of the camera and of offering up his opinion, but I fear that he might actually hold back on ESPN. While he's a natural in front of the camera, he doesn't exactly strike me as a guy who will tell it like it is. Remember when NBC hired Jeremy Roenick and we were all excited that JR would finally be able to speak his mind? Yeah... that never quite worked out. Instead of ripping Gary Bettman and the NHL on a nightly basis, Roenick became somewhat of a comedic foil on the broadcast and would run around doing ridiculous skits. Not exactly what I'd call hard hitting analysis...

If nothing else, Subban will give the NHL a recognizable name and face to ESPN viewers when he hits the screen this evening. He's well spoken and he's a great spokesperson for the game. He comes across as enthusiastic and squeaky clean, all things that are important to the NHL and to ESPN. And you can't help but wonder if Subban is looking at the long-game here. At 32 years old and with his offensive game taking an absolute nose-dive the past couple seasons, I wouldn't be surprised if Subban is eyeing a post-playing career as a full-time analyst. He put up just five goals and 19 points in 44 games with the Devils this season and managed just seven goals and 18 points in 68 games last season. Both of those totals are the worst in his career since breaking into the NHL in 2010. It certainly looks like his Norris Trophy calibre days are in the rear view mirror now, so maybe it's time to think about his next career?