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New Jersey Devils Absolutely Fleeced Nashville In P.K. Subban Trade

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 25: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) skates during the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Nashville Predators on October 25, 2018 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 25: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) skates during the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Nashville Predators on October 25, 2018 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils gave up some assets to get a bonafide number-one defenseman. They got P.K. Subban in a fleecing of a deal.

Ray Shero is back folks. After taking last offseason off, he’s back to getting the New Jersey Devils legitimate stars. Literally minutes before the picks started in the 2nd round of the NHL Draft, the Devils traded two 2nd-round picks, Jeremy Davies and Steve Santini. Yes, he got one of the best defensemen in the league for a glow up 7th-round pick, an eighth defenseman, and two draft picks, neither of which were 1st rounders.

This trade is literal insanity. Obviously, this trade is so much more for the Nashville Predators than the pieces they got back. They want to give major money to Matt Duchene in the offseason, and they need space for Roman Josi next season. Therefore, P.K. Subban seemed like the logical choice to move.

He’s making $9 million this season. Part of the deal was the Devils were willing to eat all of his salary. However, we’ve said before that it makes sense for them to. Jack Hughes will be on his entry-level deal for the next three seasons. That’s how long P.K.’s contract lasts. Therefore, if Jack Hughes is going to need a major upgrade in contract, the Devils can decide to move on from Subban when he turns 33.

Subban is literally the perfect fit for this team now and in the future. Obviously, some amazing picks falling to the 2nd round helped this deal, but it doesn’t make it any less of a fleecing. The Devils not only got a number one defenseman, but they ended their logjam on the back end. Santini’s one-way deal was really going to hurt them in trying to re-sign Connor Carrick. Now, there’s plenty of room for him.

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Davies will likely get an immediate shot at the Predators bottom pairing, and he’s likely ready for it. This might be the best part of the deal for them.

However, this is still a steal for Shero and the Devils. Subban is coming off a “down” season, but one year ago this guy was a top-three choice for the Norris Trophy. The Devils just crushed this deal.

What’s even crazier is the Devils didn’t lose Sami Vatanen or Damon Severson in the deal. This goes from one of the worst defenses in the league to one of the best overnight. Look at this six.

Vatanen-Subban
Butcher-Severson
Greene-Smith
Carrick

Give me that in a drink and send me on vacation. I’m done.

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