Last season, the Nashville Predators were supposed to be the NHL’s offseason champions. GM Barry Trotz made massive splashes, signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. Expectations were sky-high, but the team flopped. So far this season, they don’t look a whole lot better, and to make matters worse, captain Roman Josi is now set to miss a few weeks with an injury.
Goaltender Juuse Saros has been playing well, stealing the wins they do have, but it’s not sustainable. This precarious situation has NHL insiders like Elliotte Friedman and now local Nashville media speculating on a franchise-altering possibility: trading Steven Stamkos.
Why the Nashville Predators Would Even Consider This
According to reports, the belief is that if the team’s struggles continue, conversations between Stamkos and Trotz about a move will begin. Stamkos, who signed a four-year contract in the summer of 2024, would have a lot of say in any potential deal, but the logic is sound.
Nashville committed to a “win-now” window. If that window appears slammed shut before it ever really opened, a re-tool might be necessary. Moving a high-priced, veteran asset like Stamkos would be the first logical step.
While he may be slowing down slightly, Stamkos is a proven leader and elite scorer. In the right scenario, he could be completely reignited. And what scenario is more motivating than a return home?
How Can the Maple Leafs Afford Stamkos’s Contract?
This brings us to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The fit is obvious. The Leafs have a clear need for a top-six forward, and Stamkos fits the description perfectly. His $8 million AAV, while significant, is notably less than the $12 million range that pushed Mitch Marner out of town. It’s a number that is far more palatable for the Leafs’ management.
The immediate pushback from fans is predictable: “The Leafs have no cap space!”
We hear this comment all the time when discussing trade hypotheticals. But trades are a two-way conversation. Players go the other way. Math works. It’s not like the Leafs would be picking him up for nothing.
For a deal to work, Toronto would have to trade salary off its books. Perhaps Nashville retains a percentage of Stamkos’s salary, or maybe they take on a contract or two from the Leafs to make the numbers work. It wouldn’t be a “gimme,” but it is a solvable equation.
Of all the players potentially available, Stamkos to the Maple Leafs just makes too much sense. It’s no guarantee, and a lot depends on Nashville’s performance over the next month. But if you’re looking for a logical blockbuster, this is it.
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