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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Bring P.K Subban Out of Retirement

By Jeff Borsuk

P. K. Subban is honoured by the Montreal Canadiens after playing seven of his 13 NHL seasons with the organization, ahead of the game against the Nashville Predators at Centre Bell on January 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
P. K. Subban is honoured by the Montreal Canadiens after playing seven of his 13 NHL seasons with the organization, ahead of the game against the Nashville Predators at Centre Bell on January 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have done some tinkering to their lineup since being eliminated from last year’s playoffs.

While the Toronto Maple Leafs may be satisfied with their goaltending and offense, it’s clear that the defense needs an upgrade.

Luckily, there’s a player who can give that to the club.

Sure, he’s retired, but when has that ever stopped someone before?

Toronto Maple Leafs Should Bring P.K Subban Out of Retirement

P.K. Subban, the former Norris Trophy winner isn’t signed to any team, because he is retired. He is currently an unrestricted free agent (I mean, technically, as far as he’s anything other than retired)  and, one assumes, he may be looking to make his return to the sport.

The best place for that to happen is with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Subban was born in Toronto, and he grew up playing hockey in the city. Toronto is central to his family. Jordan Subban even played a year for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. There is already a strong connection to the city of Toronto, so returning to the sport and pulling a blue and white sweater over his shoulders may be a natural fit for Subban.

Subban has proven himself to be an excellent defenseman. At age 34, retired, and having not played for a full year, he certainly isn’t the player he once was.  He could, however, still bring a lot to the table.

He’s smart, strong, and has an explosive slapshot. While Subban may have lost a step or two by sitting on the sidelines last season, his hockey IQ wouldn’t have diminished.

Over his career, Subban played 13 NHL seasons spread between the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and New Jersey Devils. He recorded 115 goals and 352 assists for a total of 467 points over 834 regular season games. Subban has also performed well in the playoffs, collecting 62 points in 96 games. (hockeydb.com).

The addition of Subban would make sense for the Leafs if he were willing to take a team friendly deal similar to what Mark Giordano and Jason Spezza did in the past. If he would agree to earn league minimum there’s very little downside to the Leafs bringing him onboard. Subban wouldn’t eat much cap space and at worst, he’d play on a bottom pairing.

Subban is also a lot of fun. He’s known for his sense of humor and big personality. He could bring levity to the locker room along with veteran leadership. Giving the Leafs yet another voice behind closed doors can help the squad stay motivated following a big loss or should the group hit a slump.

Subban belongs in the NHL. Retirement may seem like a fine choice, but it can wait for a few years. Signing him doesn’t even need to happen at the start of the season. So long as he is staying in game shape, he can join partway through the campaign. Injuries happen and trades get made. Having a backup like Subban is the exact line of thinking the Maple Leafs need to have.

Next. Demoting William Nylander is a Terrible Idea. dark

The Leafs need Subban and it’s time for him to answer that call.

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