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Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Trade Options for the Trade Deadline

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 08: Assistant coach Paul McFarland (L) and head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs Sheldon Keefe (R) look on from behind the bench against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on February 8, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 08: Assistant coach Paul McFarland (L) and head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs Sheldon Keefe (R) look on from behind the bench against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on February 8, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 11: P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils takes the puck in the third period against the Florida Panthers at Prudential Center on February 11, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey.The Florida Panthers defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 11: P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils takes the puck in the third period against the Florida Panthers at Prudential Center on February 11, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey.The Florida Panthers defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

P.K. Subban

Here is a wild card trade that could possibly work only in some circumstances.

That circumstance is only if the Devils retain half of P.K. Subban’s salary. Subban is signed for $9 million through the 2021-22 season, which would make his cap hit for the Toronto Maple Leafs $4.5 million.

If the Leafs exercise the cap space they acquired from LTIR relief effectively, they could go big with a trade for someone like Subban.

Now I know what you’re thinking, Subban is only a shell of the kind of player he used to be in Montreal and even in Nashville. He has definitely regressed as expected with age, but he is still more than effective.

He may not be a superstar defenceman anymore, but he still is an effective top four defenceman. And at $4.5 million dollars, I would take him off the Devils hands for the Leafs top four.

For comparison, the Leafs are currently paying Cody Ceci $4.5 million. Ceci is bound to be let go once free agency hits, so Subban’s extra year on his contract would be useful, assuming he can still be an effective top four defenceman next season. This trade is definitely one to consider if circumstances are met.

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