The Nashville Predators are facing a potential shake-up with trade rumors swirling around Steven Stamkos, their marquee free agency acquisition. Stamkos, a future Hall-of-Famer, holds a full no-movement clause, which means Nashville must navigate carefully. As it stands, Stamkos is only open to trades with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild, or Dallas Stars, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
A return to Tampa Bay could be the most fitting scenario. Stamkos spent an impressive 16 years with the Lightning after being their first overall pick in 2008.
He made an immediate impact, scoring 46 points in his debut season and skyrocketing to 51 goals and 95 points in his sophomore year. At the time, it was the third-highest scoring season for a teenager in the NHL since 2000, trailing only Sidney Crosby’s early years.
Stamkos reached new heights with a 60-goal, 97-point season two years later, cementing his status as a star. His leadership and scoring prowess were instrumental in the Lightning's back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021.
However, after leaving Tampa Bay in a high-profile free agency move, things haven’t gone as planned for Stamkos in Nashville. His point production dropped from 81 in his last Tampa season to just 53 in his first with the Predators.
Meanwhile, Tampa has struggled to fill the void at center, even experimenting with winger Jake Guentzel in the role due to injuries. A reunion could restore Stamkos to his top role and allow Brayden Point some relief during a challenging season.
While Tampa remains a potent offensive force, the Minnesota Wild could greatly benefit from Stamkos’ presence. After trading their top center Marco Rossi for defenseman Quinn Hughes, the Wild are just a star center away from potential super-team status. Stamkos, scoring at a 40-goal, 63-point pace this season, could thrive alongside playmakers like Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Mats Zuccarello.
Alternatively, Dallas presents an enticing option. The Stars, having added Mikko Rantanen before the 2025 Trade Deadline, boast the seventh-highest goal tally in the league. With Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene handling top center duties, Stamkos could be the final piece to propel Dallas back to the Stanley Cup after three straight Western Conference Final losses.
For Nashville, any trade involving Stamkos must bring significant returns. The Predators are eyeing future assets to accelerate their rebuild, leveraging a strong prospect pool.
Teams interested in Stamkos will need $8 million in cap space, with Minnesota being the only team currently able to accommodate that. Tampa Bay would need to clear $5 million, and Dallas nearly $7 million.
With LeBrun suggesting a deal might materialize around summer, this sets the stage for a tense market centered on Nashville’s veteran star. The potential trade of Stamkos will likely be a priority for the incoming general manager, who will take over from Barry Trotz at the season's end.