P.K. Subban didn’t end up becoming a Toronto Maple Leaf, but that doesn’t mean the latter didn’t make an effort to acquire his rights.
On Saturday, the New Jersey Devils snagged the All-Star defenceman from the Nashville Predators in a trade for Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies and two draft picks. However, before the transaction went through, the Leafs reportedly kicked tires on the possibility of Subban playing in blue and white.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Leafs “tried” on Subban but could not afford to take on his full contract. LeBrun revealed on Twitter that the Leafs would have wanted him at $6 million a year, but it was important for Nashville to clear his $9 million.
Side note- P.K. doesn’t look half bad in his new colours.
While the Leafs missed out on gaining another big name, they were forced to say goodbye to one moments before. Not much more than ten minutes prior, general manager Kyle Dubas sent veteran forward Patrick Marleau to the Carolina Hurricanes in a packaged to clear cap space. Toronto was forced to part with a conditional first round draft pick in the deal.
A native of Toronto, you can only imagine how big of a hit P.K. would have been had he been traded to the Big Smoke. He now joins Jack Hughes on a completely revamped Devils roster.
(H/T Pierre LeBrun)
