Character. That's what all of this is. Heart. Soul. Caring.

Sure there's talent, but it is the intangibles that are making the difference.

You can go pretty much top to bottom on the roster and find an example of heart beating talent.

Josh Gorges refuses to be beaten in a puck battle.

Hal Gill is diving to move the puck five feet.

But today what's on my mind is PK Subban.

Subban shines

Subban outeverythinged the best player in the world late in Game 6. There was one shift where he showed all of his promise -- a promise that is so quickly being realized. At the end, as he pulled away from beating Crosby, 87 hacked him out of frustration. Crosby's not used to being beaten to the point that he's left standing by himself.

Subban had 29 minutes of ice time last night. Crosby had 26 as Dan Bylsma showed he wanted his star to lead the way, but in a head to head battle that lasted the entire night, it was Subban who bested Crosby.

Imagine that a guy who has ten games under him at the NHL level is besting Crosby. I suggested before that Subban will contest with Carlson for the Calder. Perhaps I have sold the kid short. Maybe he will be a second team All-Star. Is that too much? I have a vision of Subban being so relaxed next November that he dances around opponents, spins at will, rushes up ice, experiments with some big hits, and simply wins puck after puck after puck. Truth is he is already doing that in ways. Next season I believe he will do whatever he wants.

Young player keeps giving more

Imagine that PK is playing 29 minutes. That's a number reserved for Niedermayer and Pronger and Lidstrom in their best of times. I don't know if it has soaked in that the more you ask of PK, the more he can give. And I am not sure what the limit is. He hasn't even started to unleash his wicked shot yet.

There are a couple guys struggling, but you could just about say everyone is playing exceptionally. But the 20 year old who will turn 21 on Thursday is the budding superstar. Cammalleri is a scoring machine. Halak has put together two series as good as any other in playoff history. Gill and Gorges have controlled the two greatest players in the game. The list is much longer with so many contributing, but for me, the revelation has to be PK. Montreal is watching its first budding superstar in a long time. The Olympics, all star games, Canada Cups, Worlds: they are all in his future.

And don't lose sleep wondering if it will go to his head. This kid is grounded. Says the right things. Does the right things. Kind. Respectful. Polite. Smart.

The kid is the complete package. The world is laid out before him to conquer and he will.