New Jersey Devils Acquire D P.K. Subban In Trade With Predators

Less than 24 hours after selecting a potential franchise cornerstone, center Jack Hughes, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the New Jersey Devils made another significant roster move on Saturday by acquiring former Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban via trade from the Nashville Predators. The Devils sent Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies and two second-round picks to the Predators in exchange for the defenseman. The addition of the three-time All-Star Game selection greatly upgrades a franchise that has made the playoffs only once since losing in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.

Devils general manager Ray Shero says the franchise was able to capitalize on the Predators' desire to cut salary. Subban is owed $27 million for the next three seasons.

"I've always been a fan of P.K. Subban, from his Belleville days [in the OHL], just watching him play in the playoffs [with] Montreal," Shero said. "He's a competitor. Obviously his legacy in terms of off-ice stuff is well known, but on the ice he's a competitor. He wants to win. I love the fact that he has not won a Cup yet. He's hungry for that, and so are we."

The 30-year-old Subban has 98 goals and 310 assists in 645 games since making his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens in 2010. In the 2012-13 season, he was awarded the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman, and in 2014 he helped Canada win the gold medal in the Winter Olympics.

In 2016 Subban was traded from Montreal to the Predators and helped Nashville reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. Last season he was slowed by a back ailment and played only 63 games.

Subban reacted to the trade by posting a video on social media, in which he excitedly addressed Devils fans.

"Are you guys ready for the Subbanator? Because I'm ready to go," he said. "Let's go."