Bergevin blew the Subban negotiation 2 years earlier, when he failed to sign him to a long-term deal coming out of his ELC. By the time last summer's negotiation came, he was screwed, as Subban was a franchise player, and everybody knew it. In the end, PK ended up with an 8 year deal with the highest AAV in the league for a defenceman. Bad example if you are looking for a model of negotiating.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/p-k-subbans-new-contract-a-win-lose-for-canadiens-gm-bergevin/
Chevy is not perfect but he has consistently signed his key players to LT deals when possible; that has saved the franchise dollars and created fiscal stability.
Frolik and Subban are different players--one was a "keep at all costs" franchise player that ended up being signed at an excessive cost. The other is a "sign if you can" middle-6 F who we'd dearly love to keep, but only at the right price. But in both cases, it is the player who holds (virtually) all the cards. From the same article:
"Veteran gamblers understand the house usually wins. But Bergevin learned the hard way: when it comes to player contracts, the players are the house. The league’s collective bargaining agreement is designed to make teams project and make tough decisions on elite young players earlier than ever. "
That quote applies not only to elite young players, but to the Froliks of the world, as well. Bergevin had a chance to sign PK to a better deal out of his ELC but missed the opportunity. At that point, PK, like Frolik, held all the cards and all their GMs held was "integrity, mutual respect...", etc. The difference is that Chevy has realized this from the outset, while Bergevin had to learn it the hard way.