Steven Stamkos has a full no-move clause in his four-year, $8M AAV deal with the Nashville Predators. He does not want to go anywhere. BUT… The future Hall of Famer and his camp are being proactive.Â
According to insider Pierre LeBrun of TSN’s Insider Trading, Stamkos has prepared a list of three prefered destinations he would consider — IF the Predators do come to him with trade offers on the table.Â
I’m told that Stamkos and his camp have prepared themselves. And they’ve prepared themselves by coming up with a list of prefered destinations. I’ve been told that list is topped by Tampa Bay, and then Dallas, and then Minnesota, the three teams on that list. To a certain degree, New Jersey, as the Devils tried to sign him two years ago. But certainly, it’s Lightning, Stars and Wild.
And obviously, Tampa Bay: Boy, that’s a juicy angle if that could ever happen.
Keep in mind, that I think it’s more likely that this is a summer discussion, a summer trade. But just brace yourselves in case this possibility happens.
 Tampa, of course, is where Stamkos spent a legendary 16 seasons, with 555 goals, two Rocket Richard Trophies, and two Stanley Cups. It was a shock when he reached free agency in the summer of 2024 and the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement, leaving an opening for the Predators to swoop in with their four-year, $32 million offer.Â
The 36-year-old Stamkos has 28 goals this season, with 44 points in 57 games. Several Predators have been mentioned in trade rumors this season, as the team considers how it will approach the trade deadline. After another brutal start to the season, they’ve mostly turned it around over the last few months, and now sit just four points back of a Wild Card spot.Â
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