The New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators kicked off the second day of the 2019 NHL draft with a bang, as the electrifying P.K. Subban finds a new home in the Metropolitan Division.
Devils get: D P.K. Subban
Predators get: D Steve Santini, D Jeremy Davies, 2019 second-round pick (No. 34 overall), 2020 second-round pick
New Jersey Devils: B+
It's been a huge draft weekend for the Devils, who selected American-born center Jack Hughes with the No. 1 pick on Saturday night.
New Jersey was a surprise playoff team in 2018, thanks to an MVP performance from Taylor Hall. However, the Devils regressed significantly in 2018-19 -- due, in part, to Hall missing extended time with a knee injury, but also by design. The Devils were rebuilding all along, and GM Ray Shero has visions of building a contender for years to come. That plan has now been significantly expedited.
Hughes is expected to start right away, giving the Devils a solid one-two punch at center along with 2017 No. 1 overall pick Nico Hischier. Hall is expected to be healthy.
Subban, despite seeing his numbers dip last season, is still among the most exciting offensive defensemen in the league. He is not the same player who won a Norris Trophy in 2013, but he is by no means a shell of that player. He adds experience and talent to what was already a nice group of promising (albeit raw) defensemen. New Jersey -- without having to give up significant assets -- positions itself as one of the most intriguing teams of the 2019-20 season. And the Devils have taken another step toward their ultimate offseason goal: convincing Hall to sign a long-term extension (he is an unrestricted free agent next summer).
The Devils didn't give up much, which is a win. They have accumulated so many draft picks recently that they won't miss the second-rounders dearly; in fact, they still have a second-rounder in 2020. Santini, 24, was a so-so defenseman, and played in only 39 games last season, while Davies, 22, is a seventh-round draft pick, though he has raised his profile as a prospect lately.
However, we should note taking on Subban is an inherent risk (and the Devils do take on all of Subban's $9 million salary, the third-highest cap hit for a defenseman in the league). This is the second time in three years he has been traded, and Subban has a huge personality, which is a lot for a locker room to take on. New Jersey has built a strong culture under John Hynes, and we have to assume that Hall and Subban are happy to coexist, which may help Hall to stick around.
If the Devils can figure out goaltending and keep Hall around, they now have all the pieces to contend for years to come: a superstar winger, two top centers and an elite defenseman. That's still a lot of ifs, though, which keeps this trade from being a solid A.
Nashville Predators: B-
The Predators needed to make a change. After making the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, the team flamed out in back-to-back playoffs and the product was feeling stale, especially after an uninspiring first-round exit this spring at the hands of the Dallas Stars.
The return isn't too impressive. Two second-round picks, a depth defenseman and a 22-year-old defensive prospect? Not terribly inspiring for a 30-year-old former Norris Trophy winner. However, Nashville didn't retain any salary on Subban's contract, which is what made New Jersey a more attractive suitor than some other teams that called.
It was no secret the Predators were looking to unload some contracts, and Subban's made the most sense. His numbers had dipped last season, and he played in only 63 games, with his ice time shaved by nearly two minutes per game from a season prior. He also likes to be the center of attention, and though Poile praised Subban's community work, you have to wonder if this was also a move about changing the culture in the locker room.
Although Subban can still play at an elite level for the remainder of his contract (which runs through 2021-22), the Predators' strength is in their defensive depth, so this won't hurt them as much as it would other teams.
This move was all about clearing cap space, positioning the Preds to be active in free agency, especially for an elite forward. They are believed to be among the favorites for center Matt Duchene. But what if they don't get anyone? If that happens, the Predators got worse this offseason, and that's not going to help them get over the playoff hump.