The Most Intriguing NHL Homecomings in the 2016-17 Season

This summer, NHL fans have witnessed some blockbuster trades and huge free-agent jumps, meaning some famous players will be appearing in new uniforms beginning in October.

For some of these players, the tremendous bond with the fans in their old cities will make them front-page news upon their return. P.K. Subban's first visit to play the Montreal Canadiens will be national news in Canada, and on that trade, Shea Weber's first trip to play the Nashville Predators will be a major story.

Here are the most anticipated visits from familiar faces—no longer playing for the town team—in the NHL for the 2016-17 season.

P.K. Subban Returns to Montreal

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Date: Thursday, March 2.

What's so Intriguing? P.K. Subban has been a charter member of the Montreal Canadiens since 2009-10, helping the team to playoff success while also winning the James Norris Trophy in 2013. Subban is wildly popular with the fans, and the trade was not well-received in Montreal. Andrew Berkshire's assessment of the trade for Sportsnet reflected the reaction from fans and observers.

Also Worth Noting: Ironically, it was Subban's massive contract and was set to make $11 million this coming season, per General Fanager, which created a pressure point for the trade. Montreal would not have had an out on the deal once the no-movement clause kicked in on July 1, so the club dealt him to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber on June 29. On the day the contract was signed, it would have been easy to assume the deal secured Subban's future in Montreal, but it meant exactly the opposite to be true.

Bruce Boudreau: An Evening in Anaheim

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Date: Sunday, January 8.

What's so Intriguing? Bruce Boudreau is a successful NHL coach, leading his teams to strong finishes during the regular season. His playoff record is spotty, the main reason the Anaheim Ducks parted ways with him in the spring. Boudreau—whose teams average 49 wins per 82 NHL games—caught on with the Minnesota Wild and will be their head coach beginning this fall.

Also Worth Noting: He had more than one choice this summer—Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia Network reported on the Ottawa Senators' interest in the National Post—has over 200 career wins in each of his first two coaching stops, the Washington Capitals and Anaheim. Boudreau is regarded as a quality coach, and his teams play a more open and entertaining style—something Minnesota fans should enjoy enormously.

Kyle Okposo in Brooklyn Nights

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Date: Friday, December 23.

What's so Intriguing? Kyle Okposo jumped ship from the New York Islanders but remained in the state. By signing with the Buffalo Sabres, Okposo remains in the Eastern Conference and will get a chance to play his old team a lot—three times during the 2016-17 regular season. 

Also Worth Noting: Okposo moved to an up-and-coming franchise that should have a bright future, leaving an emerging franchise that should also have similarly golden prospects. From the outside, it looks like a somewhat lateral move—and Okposo played with John Tavares a lot, according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com—and it will be interesting to compare the two teams next season.

Eric Staal Heads Back to Raleigh for 1 Wild Night

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Date: Thursday, March 16.

What's so Intriguing? Eric Staal played over 900 regular-season games with the Carolina Hurricanes and helped the club win the Stanley Cup in 2006. It is difficult to think of Staal in any other uniform, so the first time he visits as a member of the Minnesota Wild will be memorable. 

Also Worth Noting: Staal played 20 games for the New York Rangers after the trade deadline, so this will be his third NHL team. That fact seems destined to be an obscure trivia question one day, with Staal poised to have an impact in Minnesota and his legacy in Carolina secured.

Shea Weber Appears in Nashville

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Date: Tuesday, January 3.

What's so Intriguing? Shea Weber has played every one of his 763 NHL games with the Nashville Predators, but that will change this season. The blockbuster deal that sent Weber to the Montreal Canadiens means the veteran, who turns 31 in August, is likely to play the rest of his career in Canada.

Also Worth Noting: Weber's offer-sheet deal with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012 seemingly dictated his staying in Nashville for the entire 14 years thereafter. Adam Kimelman of NHL.com covered the story of the offer sheet and Nashville matching it at the time. As it turned out, the Predators dealt Weber after getting what might be the heart of his career, cashing him in for the 27-year-old Subban. Still, the ties between Weber and the franchise will no doubt result in an emotional greeting on January 3. 

David Backes to Visit St. Louis

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Date: Tuesday, January 10.

What's so Intriguing? David Backes' physical style has been a calling card of the St. Louis Blues for a long time—it will be interesting to see him apply those skills against his old teammates.

Also Worth Noting: The Boston Bruins continue to remake their roster in the style of president Cam Neely. The Bruins added the rugged Backes while failing to retain Loui Eriksson, one more way the team takes on a more intimidating, physical style. Bruins fans can expect a return to hard-hitting forwards and a style that pushes the limits—with Backes a major piece of the new puzzle.

Taylor Hall Back in Edmonton for 1 Night

Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Date: Thursday, January 12.

What's so Intriguing? Taylor Hall became the poster player for the Edmonton Oilers rebuild on draft day in 2010. Fans looked to him as the most important part of a hopeful future—but the organization's drafting of Connor McDavid in 2015 meant he was expendable. Edmonton's overwhelming need for defensive stability helped force a deal with the New Jersey Devils for defender Adam Larsson.

Also Worth Noting: Although Hall will return to Edmonton on January 12, he will not play in the building he called home while playing with the Oilers. The brand-new Rogers Place is scheduled to open this fall—Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Journal previewed the arena in the spring—and will create a lot of excitement for Oilers fans in 2016-17. Hall will see the finished product for the first time in January—from the visitors' dressing room.

Jimmy Vesey Plays in Nashville

Elsa/Getty Images

Date: To be determined.

What's so Intriguing? Jimmy Vesey was drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2012. A third-round pick out of the South Shore Kings of the EJHL at the time, he blossomed after moving to the Harvard Crimson the following year. His college career was outstanding, highlighted by his winning the 2016 Hobey Baker Award. The Predators anticipated signing him, but Vesey opted—as his right—to wait and test free agency. In August, he will likely sign with an NHL team, beginning his career and eventually visiting Nashville in an enemy uniform.

Also Worth Noting: Joe Haggarty of CSNNE.com recently reported about the dwindling chances of Vesey signing with his hometown team, the Boston Bruins. Current favorites include the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers. No matter where he signs, Vesey is likely to receive a cold reception when he plays in Nashville for the first time.

Alexander Radulov Will Show Up in Nashville

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Date: Tuesday, January 3.

What's so Intriguing? Alexander Radulov signed a free-agent contract with the Montreal Canadiens this offseason. The Nashville Predators drafted the Russian scoring star in 2004, but he jumped to the KHL in the summer of 2008. He returned in 2011-12 after his season in Russian ended—only to leave the Predators high and dry in the playoffs. Chris Peters of CBSSports.com reviewed the details earlier in the year. 

Also Worth Noting: Radulov may be a better scorer now than he was in Nashville. If he sets the NHL on fire offensively, Nashville fans and management will have even more reason to wonder what could have been if Radulov had been a little more focused during his time in Music City.