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Penguins division rival linked to two time Stanley Cup champion Steven Stamkos as potential deadline addition
Photo credit: Main Street Media of Tennessee
Per a new report from NHL analyst Pierre LeBrun, the New Jersey Devils, the divisional foe of the Pittsburgh Penguins, could potentially be interested in acquiring Steven Stamkos from the Nashville Predators.
The relationship between Steven Stamkos and the Nashville Predators hasn't worked out as general manager Barry Trotz envisioned when he signed him to a four year contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $8 million in the summer of 2024.
It was part of an extremely busy summer for the Predators in which they also signed Jonathan Marchessault from the Vegas Golden Knights and Brady Skjei from the Carolina Hurricanes, while locking up goaltender Juuse Saros to a multi-year extension.
The Predators badly missed the playoffs last year, never recovering from their brutal 0-5 start.
Even though the Predators are back to the .500 mark right now, there are still rampant rumours that they could trade either Stamkos or Marchessault, or even both.
Per a report from NHL analyst Pierre LeBrun, Stamkos is being linked to the New Jersey Devils as a potential option if he were to be traded from the Predators.
Pierre LeBrun: The Devils were one of the teams in talks with Stamkos in free agency in July 2023, so there's some background there; There's probably a better chance than not that Stamkos stays put, but if he goes, I like New Jersey as an option - The Athletic (12/24)
Steven Stamkos Signed With The Predators In 2024
The face of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Stamkos led the Lightning to two straight Stanley Cups and a third straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, which they lost to the Colorado Avalanche.
But Stamkos and the Lightning weren't able to agree on what he thought was a fair contract extension, and he bolted from the only NHL club he'd played for in the summer of 2024.
The Predators and Stamkos missed the playoffs; meanwhile, the Lightning signed UFA Jake Guentzel, who replaced Stamkos' offense with 41 goals.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 26 | 84 ANSWERS Penguins division rival linked to two time Stanley Cup champion Steven Stamkos as potential deadline addition Are the Devils a good fit for Steven Stamkos? | ||
| Yes | 50 | 59.5 % |
| No | 34 | 40.5 % |
| List of polls | ||