Former NHL star P.K. Subban dismissed criticism aimed at hockey legend Wayne Gretzky for his association with President Donald Trump earlier this month.

Gretzky was spotted at Trump’s inauguration in January 2025 as the U.S. president took office for his second term. In 2024, Trump teased Canada with the possibility of naming “The Great One” the governor of the “51st state.”

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Trump’s poking of Canada caused heightened tensions between the two countries before the president later backed off and called Gretzky a “free agent.”

The heightened tensions fueled intense competition between the U.S. and Canada hockey teams at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and many expect it to carry over into the Winter Olympics should the two teams meet this month.

Subban defended Gretzky’s relationship with Trump against critics in an interview with the Toronto Sun.

“I’d like to know what they’ve contributed to the country and what they’ve contributed to the game of hockey,” he told the outlet. “We’re in an opinion-based world; everyone has an opinion and that’s great. But my job isn’t to listen to everyone’s opinion … Wayne’s paid his dues.

FBI Director is Kash Patel, left, talking with former NHL player Wayne Gretzky, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game between the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

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“He’s been in the trenches. He went to Nagano. He’s put together Hockey Canada. He’s played for Hockey Canada. He’s represented the country. He’s represented the league. He’s done it all. I’m sorry for people who feel (he betrayed Canada). So I would say this, ‘You have zero credibility to comment on Wayne Gretzky and the decisions he makes.’”

Subban suggested the back and forth between Trump and Canadian leaders was why the 4 Nations Face-Off became a rousing success.

“Just him talking about it … led to a whole bunch of people asking, ‘Why is Trump talking about this hockey game?’” he told the Toronto Sun. “That’s how sensitive of a time it was, and that’s how influential the president and the prime minister are … I didn’t imagine how big the game could get or having world leaders involved in a tournament like that … But it changed the trajectory of the game … It would be cool to watch (the documentary) with Don Cherry and get his two cents on it.”

P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils handles the puck against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on April 9, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.  (Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

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Subban is an executive producer on the new documentary series, “Rivals: The 4 Nations Face-Off.”

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Canada posted a 151-run target against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with Harsh Thaker’s fifty during the 20th group stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Friday.

Batting first, Canada struggled to build partnerships as UAE’s Junaid Siddique wreaked havoc with the ball, completing a brilliant five-wicket haul.

Thaker top-scored with a fighting 50 off 41 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes, before falling to Siddique.

Navneet Dhaliwal contributed a crucial 34 off 28 balls, featuring four boundaries, but was run out by Mohammad Arfan.

Shreyas Movva added a quick 21 off 21 deliveries, including two fours, before Siddique sent him back to the pavilion. Other Canadian batters failed to make significant contributions.

Openers Yuvraj Samra and captain Dilpreet Bajwa were Siddique’s first two scalps, scoring 5 and 11 runs respectively.

Nicholas Kirton was dismissed cheaply for four off six balls by Muhammad Jawadullah, while Jaskaran Singh remained unbeaten on four. Dilon Heyliger ended the innings with a six on the final delivery.

For UAE, Junaid Siddique was the standout performer, claiming 5/35 in four overs, with Muhammad Jawadullah supporting with one wicket.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all monitoring Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, while Tottenham Hotspur have moved ahead in the race to sign United States star Christian Pulisic from AC Milan. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Multiple Premier League clubs are tracking Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, according to TEAMtalk. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are reportedly among the teams interested in the 20-year-old, with scouts being sent to watch him regularly this season. The Serbia international has caught the eye in the Champions League this season with goals to help Brugge win each of their last two games of the league phase and secure a place in the playoffs to reach the knockout rounds, Stankovic is reportedly keen on a return to Inter Milan, who included a clause in his transfer to Brugge that gives them the chance to re-sign over the next two years, but the Serbia international has a growing list of suitors across Europe.

– Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race for AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic, TEAMtalk reports. Spurs have registered “concrete interest” in the 27-year-old, with the belief that he could make an instant impact at the club. The report adds that his representatives have also made contact with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, but Spurs, who have recently been linked with United States men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino, have been the most interested. Pulisic will enter the final year of his contract at San Siro in the summer.

– AC Milan are keen to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie on a free transfer, Calciomercato reports. The USMNT player has been a consistent starter for Juve boss Luciano Spalletti, and Bianconeri officials have made it a top priority to get the 27-year-old to commit to the club beyond his existing contract, which runs out in June. However, last week Tuttosport reported that Inter Milan are hoping to sign McKennie as a free agent in the summer, and now their city rivals Milan have entered the fray.

– A move for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu is being considered by Manchester United, according to Tuttosport. The Red Devils are believed to be sending scouts to watch the 25-year-old in the Serie A match against Inter Milan on Saturday, and there is also interest from other clubs in the Premier League. Aware of clubs from Europe circling for Kalulu’s signature, the Bianconeri are reportedly hopeful of warding them off by offering him a new four-year contract that would include a salary increase to €3.5 million a season.

– Manchester City attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva is on the radar of Juventus, according to Calciomercato. The 31-year-old is set to become a free agent in the summer, and with no sign of an extension at the Etihad Stadium on the horizon, the Bianconeri are hopeful of signing him on a free transfer. Silva is seen as a potential addition alongside Atalanta midfielder Éderson who could be difficult to sign amid competition from Atlético Madrid, who enjoyed a 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Thursday (stream a replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.).

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OTHER RUMORS

– Liverpool remain hopeful of signing defender Ibrahima Konaté to a contract extension. (The Athletic)

– Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is expected to sign a contract extension to keep him at Old Trafford beyond this summer. (TEAMtalk)

– Manchester City aren’t planning to hand defender John Stones a new deal. He is set to become a free agent in June. (Caught Offside)

– Juventus could be willing to keep striker Dusan Vlahovic at the club if accepts a lower salary. He is yet to receive any “attractive” offers from Europe. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Clubs in the Premier League are interested in Villarreal midfielder Alassane Diatta. (Marca)

– Al Hilal striker Darwin Núñez could leave the club in the summer. He has recently been unregistered from their squad for the Saudi Pro League. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Sporting KC striker Dejan Joveljic is attracting interest from Tigres as well as clubs in the MLS. (Ekrem Konur)

– Torino are considering a move for Empoli defender Gabriele Guarino. (Nicolo Schira)