As the 2024-25 NHL season winds down, the Steven Stamkos rumors are beginning to heat up once again—this time with a new twist. The Nashville Predators, once pegged as a Stanley Cup favorite before the season began, have plummeted to the bottom of the NHL standings in what can only be described as one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent franchise history.
The big question circulating in league circles now is: Will the Predators trade Steven Stamkos this summer?
Steven Stamkos Trade Could Signal Major Shift for Predators
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff, the answer may very well be yes. In a recent column, Seravalli pointed out that Stamkos is the logical trade candidate if the Predators are looking to shake things up without gutting the core leadership of the team.
Former NHL goalie and current analyst Carter Hutton added more fuel to the fire in that same article, stating he doesn’t see Nashville moving on from franchise staples like Filip Forsberg or Roman Josi, and with Yaroslav Askarov now gone, the organization appears committed to keeping Juuse Saros between the pipes.
That leaves Stamkos, 35, in an awkward spot. He still brings value as a power play specialist and locker room leader, but his contract, which carries an $8.5 million AAV and a full no-movement clause, complicates things. For any deal to happen, it’s expected Nashville would need to retain salary—potentially up to 30%—to entice a true contender looking for an experienced, playoff-savvy center.
From my perspective, while the optics of trading Stamkos just one year after signing him may seem rash, it could be a smart pivot. If GM Barry Trotz wants to retool on the fly, recouping draft picks or young forwards in a Stamkos trade could be a shrewd move. Stamkos still has a lot left in the tank, but his timeline no longer aligns with Nashville’s trajectory.
Expect contenders like the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, or Edmonton Oilers to make inquiries if Stamkos becomes available. Don’t be surprised if a deal is quietly structured in the weeks leading into the 2025 NHL Draft.
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