Therrien touts Weber's 'leadership' after successful Canadiens debut

Michel Therrien did everything but mention P.K. Subban after Shea Weber's memorable debut with the Montreal Canadiens.

The head coach praised his new defenseman's steady play after Weber scored a goal and registered seven shots Thursday in Montreal's 6-1 preseason victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"(He made) the percentage play at the right time," Therrien told reporters, according to NHL.com's Arpon Basu. "That's leadership, as far as we're concerned."

Therrien's comments will no doubt be read by some as a reference to the controversial offseason trade that sent Subban to the Nashville Predators and brought Weber to Montreal.

Weber logged more than 25 minutes in his first appearance in a Canadiens uniform, and his goal atoned for an earlier miscue when he was caught screening goaltender Carey Price on Auston Matthews' first goal with the Maple Leafs.