Newest Devil P.K. Subban optimistic in Jack Hughes, New Jersey

Devils acquire Subban in trade with Preds

6/24/2019, 2:11 AM
Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban celebrates after a Predators goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at KeyBank Center. / Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban celebrates after a Predators goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at KeyBank Center. / Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports

P.K. Subban is optimistic in his new team and what No. 1 pick Jack Hughes brings to the Devils.

A day after New Jersey acquired Subban in a trade with the Nashville Predators, Subban said he is looking forward to joining a team with playoff potential.

"My main objective is to come in and be a good mentor for the young guys, but I'm coming to win," Subban told the New York Post's Mollie Walker. "I'm not coming for participation, I want a Stanley Cup ring and I want to do that in New Jersey."

The Devils acquired the six-time All-Star in exchange for defensemen Jeremy Davis and Steven Sanntini, as well as their 2019 and 2020 second-round picks.

Despite finishing with the second-fewest points in the NHL, the Devils have a young core that also features Taylor Hall and now Hughes, the 18-year-old USA Hockey phenom whom New Jersey drafted first overall Friday night.

"A lot of teams in the National Hockey League would dream to have that talent, and I know for a player -- with me playing and going into my 10th year now -- understanding how important it is to have talent around you and great players," Subban said. "I think Jack is just going to complement all the great players, their veterans and young players that are already there."

It's the second time Subban has been traded in the past three years. After spending his first seven seasons with the Canadiens, Montreal traded him to Nashville in 2016 for Shea Weber.

Subban has been to just one Stanley Cup Final, when the Predators lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games in 2017. But he believes he can help the Devils win their first championship since 2003.

"For me," Subban said, "it's a tremendous opportunity, with an organization that has a history of winning and knows how to win."

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