Toronto Maple Leafs Hypothetical Trade: P.K. Subban Heads Home

If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to upgrade their team, there’s a right-handed defenseman in New Jersey they should bring home.

For today’s “Hypothetical Trade of the Day,” the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils should make a deal.The Devils are one of the most boring franchises of the past 30 years, but are also one of the most successful.

Thanks to the leadership of Lou Lamoriello, the Devils had five Stanley Cup Finals appearances, winning three times, during his tenure.  Since his departure in 2015, the team has only made the playoffs one time, losing in the first round. Lamoriello molded the Devils franchise and although some people thought it was a boring style of hockey, it was a winning-style, which is the only thing that matters in professional sports.

Lamoriello has been nothing but successful during his stint in the NHL. After leaving New Jersey, he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs and changed the culture immediately. Although he had some really stupid rules and was way too old-school for some people’s liking, he turned the Leafs into a playoff team, thanks to a quick rebuild that gave them the first-overall pick in 2016.

Even though Lamoriello’s stay was short in Toronto, he made a big impact. At 77-years-old, he’s continuing to make a difference, as his current team (New York Islanders) are storming through the NHL playoffs.

The Devils franchise is currently in a rebuild and it’ll take a few years until they’re relevant again. As a team that is consistently in the bottom-five of attendance every year, they need star-power to bring the fan-base back.

Here’s a trade that can help that problem.

Leafs Acquire P.K. Subban From New Jersey

The trade:

• Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: P.K. Subban (New Jersey Devils retain 50% of $9M), 2021 1st Round Pick (*Condition: Top-Eight Protected*)
• New Jersey Devils acquire: William Nylander ($6.9M)

I talked about this trade a few weeks ago, but I had to revisit it because it’s something that needs to be put in the universe. Subban is working out like a mad-man this summer and is doing everything to get into the best shape of his life for the next NHL season. He was even working out with The Rock a few weeks ago!

In terms of stock, Subban’s is at the lowest of his career, which is why the Leafs should trade for him.  There’s one exception though. The trade only works if the Devils retain 50 percent of Subban’s contract. Nobody can afford $9 million for Subban, but at $4.5 million for two seasons, it’s reasonable.

Subban’s last season in Nashville was a disaster and then it didn’t help that he got traded to one of the worst teams in the NHL. Subban lives for the limelight, so getting traded to New Jersey isn’t the sexiest place in the world for him.

If he were to return home, star in every commercial and be put on every billboard, I think he would return to his play from Montreal. His best seasons came in the craziest hockey market in the world, so by returning home and being relevant again, would be huge for his ego and his on-ice performance.

The Leafs need a right-handed defenseman, so why not take a risk on the former Norris Trophy winner and see what happens?