As expected, the focus of any trade talk coming out of New Jersey will be on Taylor Hall. That’s not surprising considering he’s arguably the top left-winger in hockey, he’s a former Hart Trophy Winner, could help a lot of teams and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
But, a former NHL-award winner might be on the trade block out of New Jersey as well. That player is P.K. Subban.
According to SBRPicks.com, an NHL source told them, “His name is out there.” They added that the talks have nothing to do with Subban as a person, a teammate or a leader, but that he just hasn’t fit as well as the Devils were hoping he would when they made a large investment in him to help their blue line and keep Hall a Devil long-term.
This same source said, “… it’s not as crazy an idea as some may think and it may be the best thing for P.K. and the Devils.” That statement suggests that Subban may not be against the move.
Trading Subban Won’t Be Easy
Despite Subban’s history in the NHL as a top-tier defenseman, he’s stuggled this season in New Jersey and his game appears to be declining. He’s got only five points in 30 games this season yet his contract is still a monster, coming in at a whopping $9 million per season for two more seasons after this current one.
The Devils will have to retain salary to get a deal done and even then, there’s no guarantee he’d be moved. Subban is a personality and not every team is going to want that kind of presence in their locker room. His salary and that reputation as a lightning rod of both good and bad will take some teams out of the running immediately.
Related: Devils “Motivated” to Move Taylor Hall
