The Nashville Predators are once again one of the worst teams in the NHL, and GM Barry Trotz has no choice but to change up the core of his team. The Preds can’t score, they have chemistry issues in the dressing room, and one player who is drawing a ton of interest from other teams is former Stanley Cup champion Steven Stamkos.

Stamkos, 35, has two seasons left on his deal at $8 million and holds a full no-movement clause, controlling his own destiny on his next move. There’s been a ton of rumblings of late about Stamkos’ next move, and it turns out the latest could be down to three teams:

Cam Robinson: Re Steven Stamkos: If he did leave the first preference would be…somewhere [warm]; first thing you think of is Panthers; the other one I was thinking about too…Anaheim; the one I was told has maybe more than kicked the tires…Toronto – Sekeres and Price (11/11)

The Panthers will certainly be in on Stamkos, they just don’t have a ton of cap space to work with. And, with the new rules around playoff cap compliance, aren’t able to do what they’ve done in years’ past.

The Maple Leafs seem like a potential suitor, but they’d have to move at least one reasonable contract out including one of Max Domi, Calle Jarnkrok, or Brandon Carlo. Stamkos and John Tavares are childhood best friends, but Stamkos has said no to joining the Leafs on more than one occasion in his career. 

The Ducks are a team to watch here as GM Pat Verbeek wants to add an impact top-six veteran, and Stamkos could see Anaheim as a perfect under-the-radar type of trade destination where he could fit in, not have to worry about crazy media, and enjoy the perfect weather of southern California.

Keep an eye on Stamkos’ future in Nashville, it sounds like when and not ‘if’ he’s traded this season.

Photo credit: Bob Lee, Imagn Images