Nashville Predators star centre Steven Stamkos has refuted reports that he would be willing to waive his no-movement clause, stating that he “loves” being in Nashville.
It was reported on Insider Trading on Thursday that Stamkos has three teams on his list, should Predators management decide to move on from the two-time Stanley Cup champion.
“Stamkos has a full no-move clause,” TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported on Thursday. “He controls his fate here and he’s not asking out. He’s happy in Nashville.
“But in preparation for if Predators management go to him before next Friday and say, we’ve got some offers on the table, I’m told that Stamkos and his camp have prepared themselves.
“They’ve prepared themselves by coming up with a list of preferred destinations. I’m told that list is topped by the Tampa Bay Lightning, and then the Dallas Stars, and then the Minnesota Wild, are the three teams on that list.”
Stamkos addressed those reports on Friday, stating that “I haven’t talked to [general manager Barry Trotz] at all about that,” per Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean.
“Obviously there’s stuff that gets reported,” Stamkos continued. “But what I’ll say, with this group, we want to be together. I can only control what I can control, but I love being here.”
Stamkos, who has 29 goals and 45 points in 58 games this season, could be a high-value target for teams seeking forward help ahead of next Friday’s trade deadline. He ranks No. 15 on TSN’s newest Trade Bait board.
Stamkos is a two-time All-Star, a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2019-21.
The Predators currently sit two points out of the second wild-card slot in the Western Conference at 27-24-7.