NHL Rumors: PK Subban, Max Comtois, and Tomas Hertl

Originally posted on The Daily Goal Horn | Last updated 3/7/22

Today’s NHL Rumors begins with the New Jersey Devils confirming what many have suspected for awhile. As we head to the NHL Trade Deadline, defenseman P.K. Subban is on the block.

In an interview with Pierre LeBrun, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald said that the team is not interested in doing an extension with Subban before the deadline on March 21st.

NHL Rumors: PK Subban available

“I sat down with P.K. yesterday, and we talked about uncertainty, and the deadline, and that we’re not at a spot where we’re looking to extend him at this point,” Fitzgerald said (subscription required). “I told him, ‘On the last day, somebody may lose a right-shot D and may call me, and if the move makes sense for the New Jersey Devils and makes sense for you to potentially have a chance to win, I have to do what’s best for the organization.'”

Subban, 32, is a pending UFA coming off a deal with a $9M AAV. This season, he has 18 points in 53 games but has lost a step. The 13 year veteran has been criticized for slew-footing and sticking out his leg on several occasions. That includes an unpenalized slew foot on the Ryan Reaves and unpenalized trip on Sammy Blais that tore his ACL. Both players are members the Rangers.

As far as what the Devils are looking to do at the deadline, Fitzgerald said he wants to make hockey trades.

Subban is currently #28 on our trade bait tracker.

NHL Rumors: Max Comtois on the market

Anaheim Ducks forward Max Comtois is a name you’ve heard before. Back in October, when it was believed the Ducks were heavily involved in trading for Jack Eichel, he was rumored to be going the other way.

At the time, he was a healthy scratch and struggling mightily. Things haven’t gotten much better for the big forward (6-2, 210 lbs) since and a change of scenery is being discussed.

The second round pick from the 2017 Draft has just 7 points in 32 games this season. He’s been mentioned to be available in multiple reports with the latest being Jeff Marek on HNIC.

NHL Rumors: San Jose Sharks working hard to extend Tomas Hertl

Hertl, 28, is in the final year of a deal that has a $5.625M cap hit. This season, he’s notched 42 points in 56 contests. While teams are interested in acquiring him for a playoff run, there’s been plenty of talk from both parties about looking to continue the relationship.

On the latest 32 Thought Podcast, Elliotte Friedman said that he wouldn’t take Hertl off the board but that the Sharks were making a “serious run” at extending him.

Readers of The Daily Goal Horn shouldn’t be surprised by this. In late January, I reported that a team executive relayed that the Sharks were going to keep him.

Hertl is 16 on our top 35 trade bait candidates.

This article first appeared on The Daily Goal Horn and was syndicated with permission.

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