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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Early Season Trade Targets

By Mike Stephens

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 17: Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck during an NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 17, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 17: Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck during an NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 17, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 25: P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on October 25, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 25: P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on October 25, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Denver Riddell

If I’m Kyle Dubas, my trade target is going to be PK Subban of the Nashville Predators.

I’d offer them Nylander for Subban in a one-for-one trade. Then I’d deal Nikita Zaitsev, to any team that wants him, for prospects to clear cap space. Zaitsev’s contract is too expensive and lengthy. Cap friendly lists him at 4.5 million AAV till 2023/24 with a no-trade clause kicking in next year. If the Leafs don’t cut Zaitsev loose before his no-trade clause kicks in they’ll regret it.

Subban’s contract is expensive too, but if you put Marleau on Robidas Island for next year (or trade him) and let Jake Gardiner and Ron Hainsey walk as UFAs, the Leafs can certainly afford him.

Statistically speaking, Subban is an upgrade over Zaitsev in every way. Subban’s even strength Corsi for percentage is sitting at 53.2% in 2018/19. Zaitsev’s is only 44.4%. Subban also has several more years of NHL experience and a Norris trophy to his name because of his great defensive work.

While there’s the realistic chance of this trade working out poorly for the Leafs in the long run (think of Taylor Hall and the Oilers), I could see this transaction working out like the trade that sent Kessel to Pittsburgh. Immediately after the trade, the Leafs win a cup or two (like Pittsburgh did with Kessel), then in a couple years Nylander’s offence takes off (like Kapanen’s did for Toronto) and both teams are happy.

(Editorial Note: everyone’s entitled to their own opinion but, oh boy.)

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