NHL Trade Rumor: Steven Stamkos to the Devils? An Emerging Executive's Proposal
The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and the rumors are heating up. But here's where it gets controversial: an up-and-coming NHL executive has proposed a trade that would send Steven Stamkos from the Nashville Predators to the New Jersey Devils. This move could be a game-changer for both teams, but is it a good fit for Stamkos and the Devils?
The Nashville Predators have had a remarkable turnaround this season, but General Manager Barry Trotz knows they're not quite a serious contender yet. One of their biggest trade chips, under the right circumstances, is Steven Stamkos. The two-time Stanley Cup winner has had a huge resurgence over the past couple of months, scoring 17 goals and 28 points in his last 25 games, and is back over the 20-goal mark for the 16th time in his 18 NHL seasons.
And while Stamkos holds a full no-move clause, he's open to waiving it for another look at the playoffs, according to Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet. Insider Jeff Marek revealed on The Sheet that an up-and-coming NHL executive has proposed the following trade: Dougie Hamilton, Cody Glass, and Seamus Casey to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Steven Stamkos and Justin Barron, with Nashville retaining half of Barron's salary to make it cap-compliant for New Jersey.
Let's break it down, with cap hits:
To Nashville:
* Hamilton ($9M, two more years to run after this season)
* Glass ($2.5M, one more year)
* Casey ($950K, ELC, one more year)
To New Jersey:
* Stamkos ($8M, two more years)
* Barron ($1.5M, RFA)
For the Predators, this trade essentially comes down to acquiring a top-four defenseman, albeit an expensive one having a down year, and a top young prospect on the blueline in Casey. There's no telling what a change in scenery like this would do for Hamilton.
For the Devils, they get the top-six goal-scoring upgrade they need. The former Lightning legend would likely find himself on the finishing end of a terrific one-two punch with elite playmaker Jack Hughes. Stamkos would also be reunited with Ondřej Palát, with whom he won two Cups in Tampa.
Although New Jersey doesn't get the massive cap relief they were ideally looking for by ridding themselves of the Hamilton cap hit, they do get an all-time great goal-scorer desperate for another crack at the Cup. The Devils have been one of the prime suitors for Stamkos ever since his name started to swirl on the rumor mill early this season.
In the end, Stamkos has to agree to this, and Hamilton has a 10-team trade list, so he, too, has to agree, if Nashville isn't on his list. But here's the question: is this trade a good fit for both teams, or is it just a band-aid solution?
What do you think? Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
