Toronto Maple Leafs sign Jordan Subban and Adam Cracknell
By James Reeve
The Toronto Maple Leafs continued adding to their roster on Sunday, with the signings of free agents Jordan Subban and Adam Cracknell.
Jordan Subban will be familiar to hockey fans as the younger brother of star defenceman P.K. Subban. Previously a fourth-round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, he will now be joining the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In his early days with the Canucks organisation, Subban was developing into a promising offensive defenceman and registered 72 points (27 goals and 45 assists) in two seasons with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
Cracknell and Jooris have signed one-year contracts worth $650,000.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) July 1, 2018
Marincin has signed a one-year contract worth $800,000.
Subban has signed a one-year, two-way contract that carries an NHL salary worth $650,000. #TMLtalk
Unfortunately for Subban, his third season saw his production drop dramatically and eventually he was shipped out to the Ontario Reign.
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With the Leafs, the right-hander has an opportunity to join the Toronto Marlies and regain the offensive form that saw him as a potential NHL defenceman early on.
If Subban is able to impress in the AHL for the Marlies, he may find himself given a chance to impress for the NHL club, having signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $650,000.
The team’s other new signing, Adam Cracknell, has played in over 200 NHL regular season games but is also expected to be another addition for the Marlies.
The right-handed forward, capable of playing on the wing or at centre, played for four teams last season, with the majority of his time coming with the Laval Rocket – AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.
He impressed with the Rocket, scoring 27 goals and earning 48 overall points in 54 games.
He is likely to be a replacement for Miro Aaltonen, who recently left the Maple Leafs in order to play in a more prominent role in the KHL, but could come back since Toronto retained his rights.
With 43 points (21 goals) in 208 NHL appearances, it isn’t likely that the 32-year-old Cracknell will be much more than a top-line AHLer or a fourth liner with the Leafs – with his deal also being for one year at $650,00.
The signings add to an already impressive day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, with John Tavares joining the team on a seven-year, $77 million deal.
Josh Jooris is the other player to have been signed with the Leafs, but it is Subban who could potentially have the biggest upside if he is able to stay healthy and regain the form he had in his earlier days with the Comets.
In other news, defenceman Martin Marincin has signed his qualifying offer, receiving a one-year, $800,000 deal.
The 26-year-old Czech will now play alongside Subban and Cracknell, when the AHL season starts again in October.
Next: How the Leafs offence could look with John Tavares
What do you think Toronto Maple Leafs fans? Are you happy with the team’s signings so far? Who do you think will have the biggest impact outside of Tavares? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!