Devils Tell P.K. Subban He’s on Trade Block, Won’t Be Offered Extension

The New Jersey Devils have made it clear to defenseman P.K. Subban that if a trade can be worked out that would see him go to another team ahead of this year’s NHL Trade Deadline, the Devils will pull the trigger on a deal. They’ve also let him know even he’s not traded, he won’t be signed to an extension.

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Tom Fitzgerald had a chat with P.K. Subban this weekend with the trade deadline two weeks away.
It’s the kind of chat that’s never fun.
But the Devils GM hopes not only to be a seller at this deadline. Maybe there's a chance for a hockey deal. My latest:https://t.co/ZMkUowNAnF

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 7, 2022

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic quotes Devils’ GM Tom Fitzgerald who said recently, “I sat down with P.K. yesterday and we talked about uncertainty and the deadline and that we’re not at a spot where we’re looking to extend him at this point.’” Perhaps this means there’s a scenario where the Devils do find themselves in a position to make an offer down the road, but this more likely means they’ve settled into the idea that they’ll be moving on and letting him test free agency this offseason as a pending UFA.

This means the Devils will be hard at work trying to find a taker for Subban’s $9 million salary. That won’t be easy, even if the Devils are willing to retain 50% of the contract (something that is expected). Add to that, LeBrun notes the Devils don’t intend to simply give the defenseman away. He writes:

This isn’t going to be about dumping the 32-year-old for just any return. A trade for Subban has to make sense for the team and the player, too. The Devils would also need to eat some of Subban’s $9-million cap hit to make any deal work.

The Devils May Not Be Very Busy

Fitzgerald also notes that he’s not looked at trading too many players off this current roster. Subban is the most likely and Jimmy Vesey will be shopped, but the Devils are more likely looking for “hockey trades” and trying to improve their roster for next season. They aren’t keen on the idea of trading any defenseman outside of Subban and the GM has noted he’s not had any discussion about moving Damon Severson.

One thing the Devils do have this season is cap space. The type of trade that could come out of the organization is one where they add a proven player with a contract or grab a prospect or draft pick in exchange for taking on money.

Next: Giroux Mentioned as Part of Massive Potential Flyers and Panthers Trade