There is great interest in Steven Stamkos, but will he move?

The Nashville Predators are starting to play better as they stay in the trade rumors. Nashville was affected by the noise surrounding Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. General Manager Barry Trotz always believed in his club and that they could turn the tide.

NHL Rumors: Can a Steven Stamkos Deal Be Made?

Nashville sits at 44 points and just two behind the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Despite a slow start, Stamkos has 18 goals this season and is shooting the puck better than he did to start the year. Playing with a player like Luke Evangelista who can get him the puck helps. But that hasn’t stopped teams from making calls about his availability.

The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta joined SiriusXM NHL Network Radio with Steve Kouleas and Nate Thompson and was asked about Steven Stamkos and if there is any chance he could be moved at the March 6 Trade Deadline.

NHLRumors.com Transcripts

Steve Kouleas: “Anyway, let’s move on to our next guest, ladies and gentlemen, he’s in Las Vegas next week and joining us now. Sirius

NHL Rumors: What Will Steven Stamkos Benefit Most From?

Dave Pagnotta: “That’s all going to depend on Nashville’s desire, but their willingness to hold on to that contract. If they’re willing to hold on to that contract, and so far they’ve been very reluctant. That’s the message. They don’t want to do it. But if they change their mind and hold on to Stamkos’ deal, I expect there’s a good chance he’ll be moved right before the trade deadline.”

There are teams that have shown interest. Maybe things have changed a bit. I know New Jersey was one of them. They’re sorting out some things internally right now, especially after last night (Tuesday’s 9-0 loss to the New York Islanders). 9-0 loss, but there are teams that view them as a potential target, but not as an $8 million one, which is his AAV. If that can be cut within the $5 million to $6 million range, I think there’s a good enough chance of that happening.

But so far, Nashville has been reluctant to hold on to that contract.”

As he said, the Predators will not retain him under this contract. They don’t want that. So they need a team that can absorb the entire cap hit. Unless a team has an injured player who is out for a year, and they can use LTIR space, Stamkos may not go to a contending team without help. He has said where he wants to go.

NHL Rumors: Are Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault Tradeable?

For now, Stamkos, like O’Reilly, wants to be part of the solution. Again, as with any transaction, if Barry Trotz receives an offer he can’t refuse and makes him consider trading Stamkos, he’s not compromising his position. But if that offer comes and it’s too good to pass up, he might pull the trigger.

Once again, Nashville remains in the mix as other teams determine who the sellers are. We may not know until the Olympic Break or, at the earliest, the March 6 trade deadline.

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