The Nashville Predators are starting to play better as they remain in the trade rumors. Nashville got the bump from the noise surrounding Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault. GM Barry Trotz always believed in his club and that they could turn it around.
NHL Rumors: Is There a Steven Stamkos Deal to be Made?
Nashville is up to 44 points and just two back of the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference. Despite a slow start, Stamkos is up to 18 goals on the season and is shooting the puck better than he did to start the year. Playing with a player like Luke Evangelista, who can get him the puck, helps. But that hasn’t stopped teams calling about his availability.
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined SiriusXM NHL Network Radio with Steve Kouleas and Nate Thompson and was asked about Steven Stamkos and whether there is a chance he is moved at the March 6th Trade Deadline.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Steve Kouleas: “Well, anyway, let’s get to our next guest, ladies and gentlemen, he is in Las Vegas next week, joining us now. Sirius XM, Fourth Period Insider, Mr. Dave Pagnotta, Dave, I’m on your website. (Steven) Stamkos remains a target for some clubs. Do you believe more than 50% he’ll be on another team by March 7? Welcome.”
NHL Rumors: Where Will Steven Stamkos Benefit the Most?
Dave Pagnotta: “That’s all going to depend on Nashville’s not desire, but appetite to retain on that contract. If they’re willing to retain, and so far, they’ve been very reluctant. That’s the message. They don’t want to do it. But if they change their mind and do retain on Stamkos’s deal, then I anticipate that likelihood of him being moved right before the trade deadline.
There are teams that have expressed interest. Maybe things have shifted a little bit. I know New Jersey was one of them. They’re figuring out a few things there right now internally, especially after last night (Tuesday’s 9-0 loss to the New York Islanders). 9-0 loss, but there are teams that view them as a potential target, but not an $8 million which is his AAV. If that can be dropped in that $5 million to $6 million range then I think there’s a decent enough chance that happens.
But so far, Nashville’s been reluctant to retain on that contract.”
As he mentioned, the Predators will not retain him under this contract. They don’t want to. So they need a team to absorb the full cap hit. Unless a team has an injured player who is out for the year, and they can utilize LTIR space, Stamkos might not go to a contending team without help. He has say where he wants to go.
NHL Rumors: Are Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault Tradeable?
Right now, Stamkos, like O’Reilly, wants to be a part of the solution. Again, as with any trade, if Barry Trotz receives an offer he can’t refuse and makes him consider trading Stamkos, he isn’t budging on his position. But if that offer comes along and it is too good to pass up, then he might pull the trigger on the deal.
Again, Nashville remains in the mix as other teams determine who the sellers are. We might not know until the Olympic Break or, at the earliest, the March 6th Trade Deadline.
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