Steven Stamkos trade rumors are heating up as his slow start raises questions about his future and possible destinations
Steven Stamkos’ slow start with the Nashville Predators this season has insiders like Jeff Marek thinking something has to change. His struggles have reignited speculation about his NHL future, with rumors linking the veteran forward to potential trades and even a potential return to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Currently, Stamkos has one goal and one assist in 13 games, with a minus-6 rating, raising questions about where his game has gone. Some believe that being away from former teammate Nikita Kucherov is starting to take its toll, but Stamkos is down even from last season’s stats, where he scored 27 goals and 53 points.
Marek recently suggested that teams like the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens could be curious about the 35-year-old. Elliotte Friedman added that Nashville might not be closed off to the idea of a deal, but any trade depends on what they’ll want in return, whether Stamkos will agree to being dealt, and whether they’re willing to retain salary.
Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times suggests that part of Stamkos’ struggles stems from changes in his role. A recent switch to center has given him more puck possession but also more defensive attention, limiting his scoring opportunities. His career-low 3.6% shooting percentage, down from over 16% in Tampa Bay, suggests he misses having a player to feed him for his patented one-timer.
As such, it makes sense that some would be calling for a return to Tampa, where the Lightning are struggling this season.
Interestingly, while Stamkos might not feel entirely comfortable on the ice, he seems to be making himself at home off of it. He and his wife purchased land on Davis Islands, planning a new home around the time his Nashville contract expires. They want to retire in Nashville. “I don’t want to put a percentage on it, but it’s a plan that we have, and plans change, obviously,” Stamkos said. “Things can happen, but it’s certainly a place that my wife and I obviously love, and we have so many connections, even outside of the hockey world.”Stamkos isn’t looking to move, but he doesn’t seem to be ruling out a trade. Whether Nashville finds a suitor he has an interest in going to remains to be seen.
Why Tampa Bay Makes Sense
A potential reunion with the Lightning carries both emotional and practical appeal. On the emotional side, Stamkos remains a beloved figure in Tampa, where he captained the team to multiple championships and forged a dynamic partnership with Nikita Kucherov. From a hockey standpoint, the Lightning could benefit from his leadership, power-play presence, and familiarity with their system. Even if his scoring touch has diminished, his ability to mentor younger players and provide depth scoring could prove invaluable.
Of course, such a move would not be without obstacles. Stamkos holds a full no-trade clause, giving him control over any potential deal. Additionally, Tampa Bay’s salary cap situation is notoriously tight, meaning that any trade would require careful maneuvering, possibly involving retained salary or additional roster moves. The Predators, meanwhile, would need to weigh the value of moving on from a veteran leader against the potential return in assets.
Commanders' nightmare loss to Seahawks continues to get worse with more unfortunate injury updates
The season is officially over for the Washington Commanders, and the nightmare somehow continues after the worst night in recent memory for this franchise.
The Commanders got blown out at home in primetime during a night that was supposed to be special with the throwback uniforms and Art Monk jersey retirement, but it turned into fans leaving in the middle of the second quarter, and a gruesome injury. You can move on from a loss, but seeing Jayden Daniels go down with a severe elbow injury was gut-wrenching.
Daniels' injury wasn't the only significant injury last night, as the hits continue with two more season-ending injuries
Luke McCaffrey suffers a season-ending injury
The game barely started before the Commanders suffered yet another injury, and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey went down after returning the opening kickoff. He went down awkwardly on his left side, which is now being diagnosed as a broken collarbone that will have him out for the rest of the year.
McCaffrey was starting to really find his role in the offense and special teams, and now his season comes to an end. He was second in the league in kickoff return yards with 769, and also averaged 18.5 yards per catch. The Commanders turned to McCaffrey after injuries to Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, and he was showing a lot of promise with multiple tough catches.
He should be part of the offense next season, but another injury just shows even more how badly this team needs help at the position. The Commanders added Treylon Burks and hope to get a roster win from him, but major changes need to happen with McLaurin and Brown injured, and Deebo Samuel not under contract next season. The defense is another conversation, and they lost another starter for the rest of the season.
Marshon Lattimore is feared to have torn an ACL
The defense was an embarrassment once again, with the Seahawks blowing the team out before halftime, and it never got any better. Busted coverage and wide-open explosive plays were all over the field, and major changes need to happen on and off the field. It got even worse for Marshon Lattimore, who went down with an injury that is feared to be a torn ACL.
There's no easy way to put it, but it was a nightmare night for Lattimore. He played really well last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, but it's time to admit that this trade was a massive swing and a miss by Adam Peters. It's unfortunate to see the season go down like this for Laittmore in what is very likely his last game with the Commanders. He's under contract for next season as well, but I don't expect him to be here after the defense faces an overhaul this offseason, if not sooner.
Injuries have been the biggest headline of the season with multiple starters suffering long-term injuries, and the roster honestly needs an overhaul as well. It will be a long rest of the season, with a massive offseason coming up.
