Trading Steven Stamkos is complicated for the Predators
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Teams around the NHL would love this press conference: "We traded for Steven Stamkos."
One of this generation's greatest goal scorers would be a flashy addition to any contender. It just might not be that easy to get him from the Nashville Predators.
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski broke down Stamkos' trade candidacy in a new article on Thursday, and it'll be a bit complicated.
Starting with the good side of things, Stamkos heated up before the Olympic break, which should raise his trade value.
"The biggest name here is Stamkos, the 36-year-old star who started the season horrifically (one goal in 14 games) and then caught fire right as the Predators started moving up the standings," Wyshynski writes. "He had 16 points in 13 games leading up to the Olympic break and now has 28 goals on the season, proving his worth both to Nashville and the rest of the league."
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Stamkos has a full no-movement clause, though, and he's owed a bunch of money. Neither of those things helps facilitate a deal.
"Complicating things is his contract: $8 million annually through 2027-28," Wyshynski writes. "'I have a full-move clause, so I get to make a decision whenever it comes down to that. But I haven't had any conversations about that,' he told The Athletic recently."
This feels like a deal that could come right down to the deadline, which is March 6, just because of the potential for moving parts.
If a team feels it's truly in the running for Stamkos, it'll have to do what it can to create cap space. It'll also have to do what it can to convince Stamkos to waive his no-movement clause.
Neither of those tasks will be simple. So anyone who wants Stamkos better get to work now, because there are some hurdles to be jumped through.
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