The Nashville Predators are starting to play better as trade rumors continue. Nashville got a bump in the buzz 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: Will There Be A Steven Stamkos Deal?
Nashville is up to 44 points and just two behind the last place in the Western Conference cards. Despite his slow start, Stamkos has reached 18 goals on the season and is shooting the puck better than he did at the start of the year. Playing with a player like Luke Evangelista, who can get him a title, helps. But that didn’t stop groups calling about his presence.
The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta joined SiriusXM NHL Network Radio with Steve Kouleas and Nate Thompson and was asked about Steven Stamkos and whether there’s a chance he could be moved at the March 6 Trade Deadline.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
Steve Kouleas: “Anyway, let’s get to our next guest, ladies and gentlemen, he’s 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 other clubs. Do you believe another team will be over 50% in March?”
NHL Rumors: Where Will Steven Stamkos Benefit Most?
Dave Pagnotta: “That will all depend on the desire of Nashville, but the desire to keep that contract. If they are willing to keep, and until now, they have been very reluctant. That’s the message. They don’t want to do it. But if they change their mind and keep Stamkos’ contract, it goes as his trade goal before the trade period.
There are groups that have expressed interest. Maybe things have changed a bit. I know New Jersey was one of them. They’re thinking a few things in there right now, especially after last night (Tuesday’s 9-0 loss to the New York Islanders). Losing 9-0, but there are teams looking at them as potential targets, but not $8 million which is his AAV. If that can be brought down to that $5 million to $6 million range I think it’s more likely to happen.
But so far, Nashville has been reluctant to honor that contract.”
As he said, the Predators will not keep him under this contract. They don’t want to. So they need a team that will take the full cap hit. Unless the team has an injured player out for the year, and can use the LTIR cap, Stamkos may not go to a contending team without help. He is searching where he wants to go.
NHL Rumors: Are Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault Traded?
Right now, Stamkos, like O’Reilly, wants to be part of the solution. And, like any trade, if Barry Trotz gets an offer he can’t refuse and makes him think about trading Stamkos, he’s not moving from his position. But if that’s an offer and it’s too good to pass up, then he might pull the plug on the deal.
Also, Nashville remains in the mix as other teams decide who to sell. We may not know until the Olympic break or, at the earliest, the March 6 Trade Deadline.
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