NHL world reacts to P.K. Subban getting traded to the…

NHL world reacts to P.K. Subban getting traded to the New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils are making moves. One day after they selected top prospect Jack Hughes with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft, they traded for P.K. Subban on Saturday.

In exchange for the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, the Nashville Predators got defenseman Steven Santini, prospect Jeremy Davies and two second-round picks — the 34th overall pick in this draft and the team’s 2020 second-rounder. In parting with 30-year-old Subban, the Preds created $9 million in cap space, not retaining any of his salary, ESPN reported.

With that extra space, Nashville is also expected to make a run at Columbus Blue Jackets center Matt Duchene, who is about to be a highly-coveted unrestricted free agent.

Here’s how the hockey world and its fans reacted to the huge trade news.

Lmao time to become a Devils fan

— Hemal Jhaveri (@hemjhaveri) June 22, 2019

It’s pretty simple now. Sign Matt Duchene or this thing heads backward fast. The return for Subban is blah. The cap space is the point. I’m sure 99 pct of Pred fans are sad to see Subban go. But you had to know this was possible if not likely.

— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) June 22, 2019

Told that there won’t be any deal between Columbus and Matt Duchene before the UFA speaking period opens Sunday. Fair to say Nashville is the front runner.

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 22, 2019

Subban is wearing a New Jersey again.

— Because It's The Cup (@CauseItsTheCup) June 22, 2019

Just my guess out of all of this, and only my guess: I would imagine the Predators are pretty confident they can sign Matt Duchene.

— Robby Stanley (@RStanleyNHL) June 22, 2019

By no means guaranteed to happen, but it’s one aspect of a lot of NHL draft trade talk going on. Lots of talk doesn’t always lead to draft-day deals. A few execs told me first-round picks may be flip-flopped tonight but big moves involving live bodies by no means a certainty.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 21, 2019

P.K. Subban to the Devils is the perfect move for New Jersey. It will do wonders for the market to have a player of his caliber and magnetic personality. He will make a huge difference on the ice and he can make an enormous difference off the ice in Newark and surrounding areas.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 22, 2019

Devils fans before getting Hughes and Subban Vs after getting Hughes and Subban … pic.twitter.com/RIAwySp7gE

— Ryan Lorello (@rlorello97) June 22, 2019

When your team spends $9-million in free agency for a player with half Subban's impact, remember this moment. https://t.co/jqyeGVVngM

— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) June 22, 2019

As always, attempts to pin P.K. Subban's personality as the reason for a team's woes says more about the accuser & nothing about Subban. He's talented, honest & confident, and every community he's been a part of is better for it. Having him in NYC area is a blessing for the NHL.

— Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) June 22, 2019

Just my opinion, but P.K. Subban to New Jersey is a home run for them. Exactly what they need on multiple levels.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) June 22, 2019

SUBBAN TO NJ pic.twitter.com/PFcnE0t7ua

— Devils Red Alert (@DevilsRedAlert) June 22, 2019

Subban to the devils???? pic.twitter.com/wVPWIFh9dq

— Tony Pajamas (@tonypahjamas) June 22, 2019

BREAKING: New Jersey Devils acquire D P.K. Subban from Nashville Predators in exchange for F Michael Scott pic.twitter.com/JcTindHifk

— Steven (@GoCubs49) June 22, 2019

So basically Subban for 2 second round picks.

Salary dump. Here comes Duchene?

— Justin Bradford (@justinbbradford) June 22, 2019

Translated: we see the talk that Matt Duchene is going to cost us north of 9M https://t.co/1e0RsUmBZX

— offseasonrespecter (@statsrespecter) June 22, 2019

Are we sure the Devils didn’t just acquire Malcolm Subban because there’s no way that’s all it took for PK

— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) June 22, 2019