Three Potential NHL Trade fits for Steven Stamkos if the Predators don’t improve (The Hockey News)
October 31, 2025
I just want him to come home 😢
31 comments
Sure, if they retain 75% and pay us to take him.
Love that man more than anyone, but he is fully washed and we’re starting to click this season.
Only way I want him back is a one day retirement contract
I’m biased because I’m a massive Stamkos fan, but my opinion is this: he’s *very clearly* past his prime, maybe even “washed,” but that Predators team is such a mess from the bottom up that I do wonder if he still has more to give and could do better on another team.
He’s never going to be the player that he once was, but I think he’s still a better player than what we’ve seen from him as a Predator. And frankly, I think he hates playing on that team; I think most of their players do.
Not at that price tag!
Why do y’all do this to yourselves? Move on. Focus on getting some D help.
He has a full NMC and given his age and contract, he’s a buyout candidate.
He might waive his NMC for a certain team but teams won’t overpay for him and he knowing he continues to play poorly he’ll get bought out and be able to double dip.
That being said, I don’t know if he would even want to come back or our front office will have him back. Who really knows what happened two summers ago but it seems like the relationship was fractured.
Love Stamkos. Don’t want him back unless it’s to retire him.
If Jork’ doesn’t pick it up soon and you’re going to let him walk anyway, why not see if Nash wants him?
Only way he comes home is if Tampa is his only destination. He’d have to agree to terminate contract (unlikely) because Nashville won’t retain
Theoretically Stamkos could fit on the 2nd or 3rd line, BUT, you’d basically have to trade Paul or Bjorkstrand to Nashville, and I’m not sure moving either is a good idea for someone who doesn’t really have a strong 2 way game anymore.
Getting Nashville to retain the max 50% shouldn’t be hard since it’s actually better for them than a buyout.
I want it to happen, but I don’t see how it’s a good idea sadly
Wow, this article is garbage. Svechnikov for Stamkos’ entire $8m AAV is such an embarrassing, stupid proposition. Not only is *no one* taking that entire contract, but they’re *especially* giving up a young player who “only” averaged fifty points.
And the Kings? Who need to leave room if they have any hope of retaining Kempe? I get Holland isn’t necessarily a great (or particularly *good*) GM, but geez.
Whoever wrote this is dense beyond belief.
I disagree with everyone saying he’s ‘washed’. Nashville is a mess top to bottom. That team has ZERO chemistry with one another and the management at the bench level to the box level is a disaster. If Stammer were to come back, I bet you he’d easily throw up another 50 points as a second or third line center. Plus, Lord knows we could use a power play sniper.
I would love for all those people mad about Guentzel signing back then, to step up and put their name out there to trade Guentzel for him.
It was absolutely the right call
That’d be a no from me dawg. Our team is clicking, top 6 is full, bottom 6 has great chemistry, and he’s a liability at even strength. Our PP will be fine, it has too much talent to not be. Bjorkstrand is fine. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. I hope Stammer retires here but not this way.
With all the passing and no shooting on the PP, I’d be glad to have a shooter back lol
Even if you set aside the contract, which is a huge obstacle, I’m really not sure where he fits in our lineup. I don’t think he’s a fit with Cirelli and Hagel. I wouldn’t be willing to mess with the 4th line right now. On the 3rd line, do you move off of one of James or Gage? Maybe but I kinda want to see what they have for an extended run.
The fit that makes the most sense would probably be to move Guentzel with Hagel and Cirelli and slot Stamkos in with Point and Kuch. But we’ve seen that line and it’s such a defensive black hole I’m not even sure it’s plus value. Idk feels like if we do go forward shopping there’s better fits out there even if the offensive skill isn’t as high as what Stamkos brings
Predators are a total mess any one look that bad on that team.
Fuck Toronto . Like every since I started watching hockey any player that is on the market the media always list them as a team interested
I will forcefully vomit for days upon days if he goes to Toronto.
The comments here are being way way too hard on Stammer. He had 40 goals and 40 plus assists like what, 14 months ago. He could simply be on the wrong team and no chemistry there. If the Rat can contribute for the Panthers, then I’m sure Stammer at a retained salary could for his real team
Don’t want him unless he’s bought out and he signs for league minimum
Stammer should have retired here. The move to Nashville is an ugly stain on an otherwise great career
If they buy him out in Nashville, it’d be great to sign him here for $5M or less if we can find the room.
This article is silly. No one is giving up assets to get an $8M 30-year-old for two and a half years. I also don’t think Nashville would buy his contract out until the end of the season. So unless Stamkos requests a contract termination because he wants to burn money, he’s wearing yellow.
In a perfect world: Mutual buyout, veteran minimum in Tampa for this year, then a multi (2-3) year deal for low cash.
Would be a nice boost to the power play and faceoff dot, as well as leadership group. Could easily be the “4th line C” as well as a middle six wing. But I think pride (from a few different folks) keeps that from happening.
There is no trade fit for Tampa this year.
There is a new rule for this season, which means that on salary retention in trades, a second retention on the same contract can only happen 75 regular-season days later. So it essentially nixes double retention with a third team involved as part of the same overall deal.
If he were bought out, then yes, it would still be a good option in the summer. His underlying stats are NOT good, but in sheltered minutes, I think he will still work well on the 3rd or 4th line.
That shot of his won’t fall off a cliff, and if that’s all he’s offering on the PP, that’s enough. If he gets 15-20 goals a year, would anyone complain? If he’s down on the fourth line, probably not. Keep in mind that’s very realistic if he’s on the PP1 unit, teams will have to respect that shot.
Look at Ovi, he doesn’t take a single shift unless it’s in the offensive zone and he’s out to play on the PP, what’s kept Ovi going is his shot not his complete game.
If he’s not playing against 2nd-lines in the league, it could work. Funnily enough, this is his best year since 21/22 for his defensive analytics.
AMEN, so do I!!!!
For me it’s still a good fit here. He’s no longer a top line player but he knows the,team still and would benefit from Kuch, Hedman AC and Hags . Then you also have Jake from state farm . You bring back a player with knowledge of the system and bring in a one time shooter who we have missed for a season and change. Could move Bjorkstrand who feel doesn’t really fit great here.
Everyone saying he is washed are clueless lol. He was “traded” to a bad team trying to rebuild and their team shows. His stats compared to his team last season still put him like top 3. (If we actually traded him the year prior, like he asked to be worked with, maybe we could of actually got something else in return. But no talks were had and just straight ghost town till free agency)
Guentzel and Stamkos have nearly identical stats over the past several seasons (I’ve compared 3-7 years) and nearly identical stats while both are on the lightning. Both are good players made great by our top line and PP.
It’s too late now and I wouldn’t want him back since everything is ruined for his career with the lightning (1st career TBL player, team/organization trust, historical record stats continuation). TBH we shouldn’t have gotten Guentzel in the first place and got 2x more guys to fill out other lines (4-5mil AAV each out of Jake’s 9+ mil AAV) and Hagel could have taken his top line spot with Hags and Bjork on the PP.
**Oh yeah, thanks for link OP**
**Hope Stamkos being on bad team somehow gets him traded to better team**
* Stinks Stamkos is on team that thought it’s smart trading for bunch of chefs.
* A worthy kitchen/team needs prep-cooks, line-cooks, food-expediters, food-runners, saucier, porters (*Dish washers*), and whatnot)
* In right scenario, Stamkos could shine on proper-line and a PP specialist.
* But his 8 million a year, Stamkos is a serious weight though = There lies the problem
* Curious to see if Nashville is ready to eat those bad moves.
He did just buy an 7.5 million dollar home in Tampa…..
31 comments
Sure, if they retain 75% and pay us to take him.
Love that man more than anyone, but he is fully washed and we’re starting to click this season.
Only way I want him back is a one day retirement contract
I’m biased because I’m a massive Stamkos fan, but my opinion is this: he’s *very clearly* past his prime, maybe even “washed,” but that Predators team is such a mess from the bottom up that I do wonder if he still has more to give and could do better on another team.
He’s never going to be the player that he once was, but I think he’s still a better player than what we’ve seen from him as a Predator. And frankly, I think he hates playing on that team; I think most of their players do.
Not at that price tag!
Why do y’all do this to yourselves? Move on. Focus on getting some D help.
He has a full NMC and given his age and contract, he’s a buyout candidate.
He might waive his NMC for a certain team but teams won’t overpay for him and he knowing he continues to play poorly he’ll get bought out and be able to double dip.
That being said, I don’t know if he would even want to come back or our front office will have him back. Who really knows what happened two summers ago but it seems like the relationship was fractured.
Love Stamkos. Don’t want him back unless it’s to retire him.
If Jork’ doesn’t pick it up soon and you’re going to let him walk anyway, why not see if Nash wants him?
Only way he comes home is if Tampa is his only destination. He’d have to agree to terminate contract (unlikely) because Nashville won’t retain
Theoretically Stamkos could fit on the 2nd or 3rd line, BUT, you’d basically have to trade Paul or Bjorkstrand to Nashville, and I’m not sure moving either is a good idea for someone who doesn’t really have a strong 2 way game anymore.
Getting Nashville to retain the max 50% shouldn’t be hard since it’s actually better for them than a buyout.
I want it to happen, but I don’t see how it’s a good idea sadly
Wow, this article is garbage. Svechnikov for Stamkos’ entire $8m AAV is such an embarrassing, stupid proposition. Not only is *no one* taking that entire contract, but they’re *especially* giving up a young player who “only” averaged fifty points.
And the Kings? Who need to leave room if they have any hope of retaining Kempe? I get Holland isn’t necessarily a great (or particularly *good*) GM, but geez.
Whoever wrote this is dense beyond belief.
I disagree with everyone saying he’s ‘washed’. Nashville is a mess top to bottom. That team has ZERO chemistry with one another and the management at the bench level to the box level is a disaster. If Stammer were to come back, I bet you he’d easily throw up another 50 points as a second or third line center. Plus, Lord knows we could use a power play sniper.
I would love for all those people mad about Guentzel signing back then, to step up and put their name out there to trade Guentzel for him.
It was absolutely the right call
That’d be a no from me dawg. Our team is clicking, top 6 is full, bottom 6 has great chemistry, and he’s a liability at even strength. Our PP will be fine, it has too much talent to not be. Bjorkstrand is fine. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. I hope Stammer retires here but not this way.
With all the passing and no shooting on the PP, I’d be glad to have a shooter back lol
Even if you set aside the contract, which is a huge obstacle, I’m really not sure where he fits in our lineup. I don’t think he’s a fit with Cirelli and Hagel. I wouldn’t be willing to mess with the 4th line right now. On the 3rd line, do you move off of one of James or Gage? Maybe but I kinda want to see what they have for an extended run.
The fit that makes the most sense would probably be to move Guentzel with Hagel and Cirelli and slot Stamkos in with Point and Kuch. But we’ve seen that line and it’s such a defensive black hole I’m not even sure it’s plus value. Idk feels like if we do go forward shopping there’s better fits out there even if the offensive skill isn’t as high as what Stamkos brings
Predators are a total mess any one look that bad on that team.
Fuck Toronto . Like every since I started watching hockey any player that is on the market the media always list them as a team interested
I will forcefully vomit for days upon days if he goes to Toronto.
The comments here are being way way too hard on Stammer. He had 40 goals and 40 plus assists like what, 14 months ago. He could simply be on the wrong team and no chemistry there. If the Rat can contribute for the Panthers, then I’m sure Stammer at a retained salary could for his real team
Don’t want him unless he’s bought out and he signs for league minimum
Stammer should have retired here. The move to Nashville is an ugly stain on an otherwise great career
If they buy him out in Nashville, it’d be great to sign him here for $5M or less if we can find the room.
This article is silly. No one is giving up assets to get an $8M 30-year-old for two and a half years. I also don’t think Nashville would buy his contract out until the end of the season. So unless Stamkos requests a contract termination because he wants to burn money, he’s wearing yellow.
In a perfect world: Mutual buyout, veteran minimum in Tampa for this year, then a multi (2-3) year deal for low cash.
Would be a nice boost to the power play and faceoff dot, as well as leadership group. Could easily be the “4th line C” as well as a middle six wing. But I think pride (from a few different folks) keeps that from happening.
There is no trade fit for Tampa this year.
There is a new rule for this season, which means that on salary retention in trades, a second retention on the same contract can only happen 75 regular-season days later. So it essentially nixes double retention with a third team involved as part of the same overall deal.
If he were bought out, then yes, it would still be a good option in the summer. His underlying stats are NOT good, but in sheltered minutes, I think he will still work well on the 3rd or 4th line.
That shot of his won’t fall off a cliff, and if that’s all he’s offering on the PP, that’s enough. If he gets 15-20 goals a year, would anyone complain? If he’s down on the fourth line, probably not. Keep in mind that’s very realistic if he’s on the PP1 unit, teams will have to respect that shot.
Look at Ovi, he doesn’t take a single shift unless it’s in the offensive zone and he’s out to play on the PP, what’s kept Ovi going is his shot not his complete game.
If he’s not playing against 2nd-lines in the league, it could work. Funnily enough, this is his best year since 21/22 for his defensive analytics.
AMEN, so do I!!!!
For me it’s still a good fit here. He’s no longer a top line player but he knows the,team still and would benefit from Kuch, Hedman AC and Hags . Then you also have Jake from state farm . You bring back a player with knowledge of the system and bring in a one time shooter who we have missed for a season and change. Could move Bjorkstrand who feel doesn’t really fit great here.
Everyone saying he is washed are clueless lol. He was “traded” to a bad team trying to rebuild and their team shows. His stats compared to his team last season still put him like top 3. (If we actually traded him the year prior, like he asked to be worked with, maybe we could of actually got something else in return. But no talks were had and just straight ghost town till free agency)
Guentzel and Stamkos have nearly identical stats over the past several seasons (I’ve compared 3-7 years) and nearly identical stats while both are on the lightning. Both are good players made great by our top line and PP.
It’s too late now and I wouldn’t want him back since everything is ruined for his career with the lightning (1st career TBL player, team/organization trust, historical record stats continuation). TBH we shouldn’t have gotten Guentzel in the first place and got 2x more guys to fill out other lines (4-5mil AAV each out of Jake’s 9+ mil AAV) and Hagel could have taken his top line spot with Hags and Bjork on the PP.
**Oh yeah, thanks for link OP**
**Hope Stamkos being on bad team somehow gets him traded to better team**
* Stinks Stamkos is on team that thought it’s smart trading for bunch of chefs.
* A worthy kitchen/team needs prep-cooks, line-cooks, food-expediters, food-runners, saucier, porters (*Dish washers*), and whatnot)
* In right scenario, Stamkos could shine on proper-line and a PP specialist.
* But his 8 million a year, Stamkos is a serious weight though = There lies the problem
* Curious to see if Nashville is ready to eat those bad moves.
He did just buy an 7.5 million dollar home in Tampa…..