Predators commerce All-Star D Subban to Devils
Emily KaplanESPN
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Nashville Predators All-Star defenseman P.Okay. Subban has been traded to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Steven Santini, prospect Jeremy Davies and two second-round picks (one in 2019 and one in 2020), the group introduced.
Subban, 30, spent the previous three seasons with the Predators. That is the second time in three years Subban has been traded. He spent the primary seven years of his profession with the Montreal Canadiens earlier than he was shipped to Nashville in a blockbuster deal for Shea Weber in 2016.
“We admire P.Okay.’s contribution to the Predators and the Nashville group over the previous three seasons, which have seen our group have unprecedented success,” Predators president of hockey operations Dave Poile stated in an announcement. “He was an integral a part of our run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Last, the 2018 Presidents’ Trophy and back-to-back Central Division titles. His work off the ice speaks for itself — he was an impactful member of our group, particularly by way of the groundbreaking Blueline Buddies initiative.
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“We needed to make a enterprise resolution. With an intention at strengthening our ahead corps this offseason, and the continued energy of our defensive group, we felt it was essential to clear up wage cap house this fashion.”
It has been a giant draft weekend for New Jersey, which chosen American-born middle Jack Hughes with the No. 1 choose on Friday evening.
Subban, the 2013 Norris Trophy winner, was restricted to 63 video games final season, and noticed his ice time lowered to 22:40 an evening (he had averaged greater than 26 minutes an evening between 2014 and 2016). Subban’s offensive numbers dipped final season as nicely, as he posted solely 9 objectives and 22 assists.
Subban carries a $9 million cap hit on his contract, which runs by way of 2021-22. It’s the third-highest cap hit for a defenseman within the NHL, trailing solely San Jose’s Erik Karlsson ($11.5 million) and Los Angeles’ Drew Doughty ($11 million). Nashville is not going to retain any of Subban’s wage, which implies it’s a enormous cost-clearing transfer for the group. The Predators are actually anticipated to be energetic in free company, and must be among the many main contenders for middle Matt Duchene, amongst different high-profile out there gamers.
Subban had a no-movement clause whereas he was with Montreal, though Nashville didn’t honor that clause when he moved. Predators GM David Poile, at all times energetic on the commerce market, is extraordinarily stingy with handing out no-movement clauses. The one participant on the Predators’ present roster who has one is goalie Pekka Rinne.
Nashville was anticipated to make seismic adjustments to its roster this offseason, contemplating the Predators’ crunch towards the wage cap and the truth that they flamed out within the playoffs for the second straight yr, regardless of hefty expectations after making the Stanley Cup Last in 2017.
Santini, 24, has performed in 114 video games for the Devils over the previous 4 seasons, together with 39 video games final season. He had one purpose and three assists whereas averaging simply 16:39 ice time an evening.
Davies, 22, was a seventh-round choose of the Devils in 2016 however has since raised his profile as a robust offensive-minded defenseman prospect. Davies performed for Northeastern College for 3 seasons.
The Devils missed the playoffs this previous season however have been anticipated to make a splash subsequent season. Their greatest precedence now’s re-signing 2018 MVP Taylor Corridor, who turns into an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer season.