NASHVILLE, Tenn. – You might say this version of the Toronto Maple Leafs is P.K.-approved.
The off-season trade that sent P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators has kept him from seeing his hometown team as often in person, but he’s still taken note of what’s going on in Toronto.
“A couple games that I’ve watched, it’s exciting to watch, and I know for fans that’s a part of it too,” Subban said Thursday before Nashville hosted the Leafs. “Winning games, but entertainment. I think those players got skill that’s pretty special.”
As a defenceman known for playing with flair, he sees a lot of danger in a lineup that features six players with at least 50 points. A major point of emphasis for the Predators in their pre-scout on Thursday morning was staying disciplined because the Leafs boast the NHL’s second-ranked power play.
Subban was also anticipating a motivated opponent given how close Toronto is to securing a playoff spot for just the second time in 13 years.
“For that hockey club, just growing up in Toronto, it’s always been about the playoffs and when the Leafs are going to be in the playoffs,” he said. “Right now, they’ve got a young group of guys that are hungry, energetic and want the opportunity to play in the post-season. It seems like every game that we play there’s some sort of angry bear down the hall that’s just waiting for the game. I think in this case it’s the same thing.
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“You look at how tight the standings are for them in the East, it’s an important two points. They have a lot of young talented players there that can break games wide open so we’ve got to play a disciplined, solid game today.”
Toronto beat Nashville 6-2 back in November at Air Canada Centre.
The Leafs will also have Frederik Andersen back in goal and are currently riding an 8-2-1 stretch that has been driven by their rookies – with William Nylander currently on a 12-game point streak and Auston Matthews having scored four goals over the last six games.
Matthews also made headlines this week by surpassing Wendel Clark for the franchise record in goals by a rookie with 35.
“There’s a lot of great players in this league and obviously he’s had a good season as a rookie,” Subban said of Matthews. “He’s a great player, but I think that you’re sadly mistaken if you’re thinking that there’s only one player to focus on, on that team. They’ve got a good group of young players and young talent. The future looks promising for that team.
“You’ve got a lot of guys that got stuff to prove.”
Subban didn’t grow up as a Leafs fan, per se, but he idolized Doug Gilmour during his time in Toronto. The 27-year-old also says it was natural for him to get swept up in the excitement whenever the Leafs were making a playoff run.
That’s how he figures the mood is right now in Toronto.
“There’s a lot to be excited for,” said Subban. “If I’m a Leaf fan, I look at those players and they’ve got great young players on that team, and it’s promising. I think that that team is heading in the right direction. Whether fans are excited about that, I don’t know, but they should be.
“I mean based on teams of the past and how the team has done of late they should be excited.”
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