The Nashville Predators have traded P.K. Subban to the New Jersey Devils. The Predators will receive Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies, the Devils’ second-round pick in 2019 and second-round pick in 2020. Nashville will not retain any of Subban’s contract, which still has three years remaining at a $9MM cap hit.
The Predators had been rumored for weeks to be looking for a way to clear cap space in order to go after some key free agents and sign Roman Josi to a long-term extension, and Subban was the prime target thanks to his hefty price tag. With Dante Fabbro ready to take on a bigger role in the NHL and the presence of Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis still on the roster, the Predators likely felt as though they could lose Subban off the blue line without taking a major step backwards.
Still, this isn’t the package that many were expecting if the team did find a taker for his contract. Just a few years ago Subban was traded straight up for another Norris-caliber defenseman in Shea Weber, and has now been flipped for relatively underwhelming future assets.
Santini, 24, was picked in the second round in 2013 but has still yet to establish himself as a full-time NHL player, suiting up for 114 games over parts of four seasons. Last year he recorded four points in 39 games for the Devils, and is actually signed for two more seasons at a $1.42MM cap hit. It will be interesting to see where he fits into the plan in Nashville, or if he’s flipped to create some additional room.
Davies, 22, just finished his third season at Northeastern University and signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Devils in April. Though he fell all the way to the seventh round in the 2016 draft, the former USHL standout fit in well at the college level and recorded big point totals in each of his three years. The 5’11” defenseman will likely head to the minor leagues to prove he can bring that kind of offensive production at the professional level, and could be the key to the return for the Predators moving forward.
Nashville will select 34th overall in this year’s draft now, but the biggest return in this deal for them will be the cap space. Matt Duchene will once again be linked to the team in free agency, as GM David Poile has pursued him for years and now has a chance. Still, with some uncertainty to where the salary cap ceiling will eventually land it may take some more work for Nashville to be in a position to land one of the top names while keeping enough room for a Josi raise.
Greg Wyshynski of ESPN was first to report that Subban was headed to New Jersey.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Wow!
Depending on the return Duchene and Panarin now become possibilities in Nashville.
The trade fireworks are starting today!
Whoa
Well darn that jersey team shouldn’t be drafting 1st overall for a while
God damn. that’s huge
That’s it? Talk about cap dump.
If this is the return for an elite player, let’s keep Phil and Letang.
Shero just handed a gift.
Ray has now acquired Taylor Hall (Hart trophy winner) and PK Subban (Norris) for Adam Larsson, Steve Santini, Jeremy Davies and two second round picks.
Shero is a thief in the night.
Makes me wonder what’s up with this guy that nobody seems to see him as a cornerstone of their franchise. Has the talent but keeps getting shipped off to other teams.
Who is the Devil’s goalie at this point?
Just giving away a great defenseman
Mackenzie Blackwood and Schneider are expected to platoon
I think it’s just the money that keeps getting him traded. Nashville has a need for scoring up front, and already has one of the leagues top 4’s even without Subban. Obviously he’s worth more than what he was traded for, but they’re probably in a better position with Duchene or Panarin up front rather than with him on the point.
@Hannibal8us, Nashville needed to clear cap. Roman Josi needs a new contract and Nashville arguably has a bigger need up front than on their backline. I don’t think this deal has much, if anything, to do with any perceived off-the-ice issues.
The Devils are a goalie away from being legit.
The Preds are going to try for Duchene. I can’t remember which one, but either he or his wife think they are going to be country music stars and want to live in Nashville. Seems there have been back channel wink winks between them for a while.
There is only one reason this move was made: to sign Matt Duchene. After what Hayes got from Philly, they need that cap space to sign him.
Fwjbt Duchene is the one who performs with country bands.
I can understand needing the money to extend Josi but I’d rather have a puck moving minutes eater like Subban over paying a ton for Duchene. I guess that was my question why does it seem like this guy is never worth his contact even though he’s pretty damn good.
Thank God he didn’t end up Leaf. His act has worn thin with every team he plays on. Now he can rot in New Jersey where he shouldn’t get much press.
PK’s act is being an elite defenseman who often leads his team on long playoff runs.
And I agree with Hannibal, much rather have PK over Duchene, who may have finally turned a corner this year OR was just finally giving an effort in a contract year.
Yep, an elite player #1 defenseman who has won a Norris, is signed for three more years, does lots of work in the community, and is fun to watch and has fun playing the game. It is almost like “fans” who don’t like him isn’t based on talent, personality, character, or anything about who he is but instead what he looks like.
marner really? your wanting to play 3 rookie defenceman over a top 10 league defenceman is baffling. yes he would have only gone to Toronto if marner was as good as gone but for a team that needs defense, your comment is embarrassing.
He is an above average defenseman. But not worth 9 per year. He’s a cheapshotting goon and a crybaby for the most part. The type of guy who will two hand chop the feet out from under someone and cry when he gets called for it. I don’t much enjoy watching him play.
Blackwood and Schneider
Is Karlsson worth 11.5? Is Hayes worth over 7? To be honest his price is likely fair value at this point when you consider what money is being thrown around.
Platoon between Cory and Blackwood
They’re not a goalie away from being legit, they should still target a scoring winger to fit on the 2nd line with Hughes. Cory and Blackwood are capable of increasing their value because they won’t be seeing 40+ shots a game nightly now.
We are finally looking good and with offensive upside, not just pieces. LEGIT upside.
This is a move the devils made to make them legit anyone who says they are a goalie away has not seen McKenzie Blackwood. That kid is the real deal if they can get one more offense of player to parent with Hughes this could be a Stanley Cup contender this season.
Golden,
Your dreaming with your eyes open! NJ has two legit maybe 3 Centers now to build around but not much more then that. If PK is your # 1 d it’s gonna be a long year.
Fwjbt ,
He acts like a clown on the ice with his jumping around. Foolish he is. Like I’ve said continues to wear out his welcome. He’s all about himself and being on tv. The media plays to it see how well that’s gonna play our playing with a bunch of no bodies in NJ. Long runs don’t me jack If you don’t win a Cup!
Nashville doesn’t need either of them to win a cup there both over rated!
Given your incoherent rambling I’m willing to bet you are a predators fan who probably sang his praises during the last three playoff runs. Now that he’s gone it is time to run him down. The typical Fairweather fan. If you are not a predators fan and you know that much of the guy that pretty much means his teams were always on national TV because they were having long playoff runs and constant regular season success. Should tell you something about this guys talent wherever he goes. I will definitely take this guy at 9 million a year over paying a guy like Karlsson with all of his injury concerns at 11.5 million a year.
ThePrice,
Yes, I would clearly as Toronto doesn’t have much cap space to get Marner, Kapenen and Johnsson signed. Will have to be creative to get it all done. Unless they move Zaitsev it’s gonna be tough. Currently 5 d under signed so unless you have some weird math issues I’ve yet to see a team play 8d in a game.
I know they need and they have a lot in the minors. Dumbass has created this mess should have moved little Willy! Toronto didn’t need the circus act that P.K is too 10 good luck with that one lol. Go do your home what was he 50th in defence scoring last year oh ya too 10 lol
M34,
True that couldn’t have said it better!!
Golden,
Preds fan I’ve seen one in Canada in my life good luck with that one. Clearly a Leafs fan here have another cold one!
The biggest loser in this trade is the city of Nashville. The amount of time and money he put back into the community was incredible. Every NHL city should be jealous of New Jersey