The clock is ticking rapidly towards the Friday arbitration session between the Montreal Canadiens and star defenceman P.K. Subban.

Neither the Habs nor the 2013 Norris Trophy-winning defenceman have blinked in their game of chicken before the often-rancorous exercise begins Friday.

Subban has kept his lips sealed about the negotiations while appearing in a series of recent high-profile media events including a weekend on-stage appearance alongside funnyman Seth Rogen at the Just for Laughs festival which saw the emcee drinking beer from the Stanley Cup.

Subban also appeared on a Toronto-area morning TV show in which he told the hosts that he wishes to remain a Montreal Canadien for life.

He also appeared at the RBC Canadian Open at Roya Montreal on the weekend. He told the golf reporters Saturday: “It's been kept pretty quiet the whole time and it's going to remain that way until a deal's done. As of right now, I'm just trying to enjoy the day and not think of anything."

Many onlookers have hoped that the two sides would announce a long-term deal just before the deadline falls, as was the case for Lars Eller, who inked a four-year pact with the Habs just hours before his arbitration hearing was scheduled to begin.

If Subban's case goes to arbitration, he would likely get a shorter dealer which would eventually lead him an unrestricted free agent.

Subban applauded the deal the Canadiens signed this week with centre Lars Eller a day before he was scheduled to go to arbitration. Eller, after an ordinary regular season and a strong playoffs, inked a four-year $14-million US contract. "He deserves it," said Subban. "He's played well and he's a big part of our team."

Subban took part in a chipping contest with fellow Olympic athletes Brad Jacobs, a curling gold medallist, and snowboarder Caroline Calve.

"This is probably the shortest summer I've ever had because of how far we went in the playoffs," said Subban, whose team reached the Eastern Conference final. "But it's a good thing because you know the season's close to starting. "I think it's 74 days before puck drops. I'm trying to enjoy the summer but the hard training has already started."