Predators Trade Rumors: 2 Teams Linked To Steven Stamkos

The Nashville Predators are open for business and that gives the assumption that nearly everyone is available for trade. Steven Stamkos is more of an obvious one if the Predators can get a deal done to trade him. He has not been the player the team had imagined when signing him to a four-year, $8 million AAV deal.

Stamkos has been incredibly streaky, hasn't fit in Nashville, and hasn't been the player the team needed to help get them to the playoffs and contend. The contract won't be that easy to move, considering it still has two more years left on the deal, but if the Predators are going to retain salary on anyone, it's going to be Stamkos.

Cam Robinson said, "The Panthers and Ducks are teams that come to mind when thinking of Steven Stamkos destinations."

Both of these teams make sense. The cap space is freed up for the Florida Panthers if Aleksander Barkov is out until at least into the playoffs and they are down a center. Even if Stamkos isn't a full-time center option for the Panthers, it gives them a good player who will undoubtedly turn his game around when getting to Florida, as everyone seems to do due to that environment and system. The Panthers aren't just going to sit back and not do everything they can to go for the three-peat.

Stamkos has four goals and an assist in 21 games, and if the Panthers acquire him, they will also have to think about the cap situation going forward. Bringing him in at a reduced cost would help them stay under the cap and have yet another strong option for the top-9.

The Anaheim Ducks have more cap space than they can spend and are first in the Pacific Division regardless. Many of the young players are doing very well and the veterans have been a great mix. What's one more high-value player added to the mix, even if he's not exactly playing like one this season? Multiple of the veterans will be UFAs after the season, so the term left on Stamkos' deal won't hurt the Ducks either. They are going to grab a big name and it could be Stamkos for cheap.