With the Nashville Predators climbing back into the Stanley Cup Playoff picture, the front office faces a familiar fork in the road: stay the course and push for the postseason, or pivot and make a bold move that reshapes the roster. And that brings us to the latest hypothetical trade proposal making the rounds - one that includes none other than Steven Stamkos.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just some fan-forum fever dream. The proposal reportedly comes from an “up-and-coming NHL executive,” per Jeff Marek of The Sheet, and it’s got enough moving parts to warrant a deeper dive.
The core of the deal? Stamkos to the New Jersey Devils, with Nashville also retaining salary - but interestingly, not on Stamkos, rather on defenseman Justin Barron.
Now, any trade involving a name like Stamkos is going to stir the pot. He’s still a marquee player, even if he’s not the 60-goal scorer he once was.
And for a Predators team trying to balance its present playoff push with long-term roster construction, moving him would be a seismic shift. So, is this particular proposal worth considering?
Let’s unpack it.
The Good: Seamus Casey’s Potential
If there’s one bright spot in this deal, it’s Seamus Casey. The young right-shot defenseman is a legit prospect with NHL upside, and he could be a one-for-one replacement for Barron - a player some in the organization reportedly aren’t sold on. Casey brings puck-moving ability and a high ceiling, and if you’re trying to get younger and faster on the back end, he fits the mold.
The Bad: Dougie Hamilton’s Contract and Fit
But here’s where the wheels start to wobble. The proposal includes Dougie Hamilton, who’s had a rough season and is carrying a $9 million cap hit for two more years.
He’ll be 33 before next season starts, and while he was once a 70-point defenseman, those days feel like a distant memory. Through 44 games this year, he’s posted just 15 points - not exactly the kind of production you want tied to that kind of money.
For a Predators team already hoping Brady Skjei finds his footing and with Roman Josi not getting any younger, adding another aging blueliner with a massive cap hit doesn’t align with the direction Nashville seems to be heading. It’s not just a questionable fit - it’s a risk that could handcuff the team financially and on the ice.
The Ugly: The Logic Behind the Deal
There are a few other head-scratchers in the proposal. For starters, using a salary retention slot on Justin Barron - not Stamkos - feels like a misuse of one of the most valuable tools a GM has at the deadline. Barry Trotz has already gone on record saying he’s not interested in retaining salary, so that part alone makes this deal feel like a stretch.
Then there’s the return. If you’re trading Stamkos - a future Hall of Famer who’s still producing and has a manageable contract - you’re expecting a haul.
That means a top-tier, NHL-ready prospect and probably a high draft pick. Anything less, and you’re selling low on a player who still has the ability to tilt the ice in your favor.
Cody Glass: A Familiar Face, But Not a Game-Changer
One interesting wrinkle in the deal is the inclusion of Cody Glass, who would be making a return to Nashville. That might tug on a few heartstrings and excite some fans on Broadway, but sentimentality doesn’t win playoff series. Glass is a solid depth piece, but he’s not the kind of player who moves the needle in a trade involving Stamkos.
Bottom Line: The Risk Far Outweighs the Reward
If Nashville is serious about moving Stamkos - and that’s still a big “if” - it has to be for the right package. That means minimal salary retention, a dynamic young player who can contribute now, and possibly a sweetener like a second-round pick. Anything short of that, and you’re better off holding onto Stamkos and letting him help drive a playoff push.
This particular trade proposal? It feels like a swing and a miss.
The idea of bringing in Casey is intriguing, but the cost - both in terms of cap space and the players involved - just doesn’t add up. Dougie Hamilton’s contract is an anchor, and the logic behind some of the moving parts is shaky at best.
So while it’s always fun to break down these hypothetical trades, this one gets a hard pass. Nashville’s in a position to be strategic - not desperate. And this deal feels like the latter.