In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest on Predators forward Steven Stamkos and Sabres goaltender Devon Levi, and updates on the Wild and Blues.
COULD THE PREDATORS TRADE STEVEN STAMKOS?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau suggested trade speculation could arise about Steven Stamkos if the Nashville Predators don’t improve. They’ve started the season 4-6-2, and the 35-year-old forward has just two points in those 12 games.
Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)
Proteau noted that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently said he could see a scenario where both sides meet to consider their options. Stamkos is in the second season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $8 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.
If Stamkos is willing to accept a trade, Proteau believes it’ll be to a veteran-laden Stanley Cup contender. He suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs as possible trade destinations.
THE PROVINCE: Paul Chapman referenced a report by CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal, where the latter claimed the Canucks had poked around on Stamkos.
Chapman observed that Stamkos is a shell of his former self. Given the Canucks injury status, however, it makes sense to kick tires on everyone.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos’ production has declined noticeably since his final season with the Tampa Bay Lightning two years ago. He’s getting plenty of playing time among the Predators’ top lines, but his scoring touch is no longer there.
A move to a better club might help Stamkos regain his form, but his contract makes him an expensive gamble. Interested teams could insist that the Predators retain up to half of his cap hit to facilitate a trade.
As for the proposed destinations, Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky is expected to make a big swing for a superstar this season. However, he has pursued superstars in their late-20s who are in the prime of their careers, such as Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner. Tulsky is unlikely to go after a declining star in his mid-thirties with an expensive contract.
Stamkos might welcome a trade to the Kings or the Maple Leafs, but they don’t look like Stanley Cup contenders. They lack salary-cap space, which is also an issue for the Canucks.
THE WILD ARE SHOPPING FOR HELP
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports a team source claiming that Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin is in the market to bolster his club’s middle-six forward group.
Injuries to Mats Zuccarello and Nico Sturm have hurt the Wild’s depth among those forwards. Guerin’s priority is to add offensive depth to their middle six regardless of the position.
Di Marco suggested Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri and Boston Bruins centers Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt as possible trade targets.
THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith and Michael Russo also weighed in on the Wild’s early-season struggles. They don’t see an impact trade available that could provide immediate help.
Smith and Russo pointed out that it’s difficult to make in-season trades, especially with the salary cap rising and most teams wanting to improve, not sell. They also don’t see acquiring fourth-line players, such as Toronto’s Nick Robertson, as providing a jolt to their lineup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The problem is that the few players mentioned as trade candidates aren’t being moved yet, if at all. The Flames and Bruins haven’t given up yet on their seasons.
By the time the trade market improves, it could be too late to help the Wild. Smith and Russo believe it’s up to the current Wild players to get themselves out of the hole they’ve dug.
IS SABRES GOALIE DEVON LEVI AVAILABLE?
SABRES NOISE: Tim Daniels linked to a report from the Sabres podcast “After The Whistle” (hosted by former Sabres Craig Rivet and Andrew Peters) claiming that goaltender Devon Levi requested a trade.
“Rumor has it that Devon Levi asked to be moved prior to returning to Rochester,” Rivet and Peters reported.
RATINGS: James Murphy reported that requests from the Sabres and Levi’s agent to confirm the report were not returned. Nevertheless, he cited a source claiming the 23-year-old goalie’s name was out there in the trade market after he failed to crack the Sabres lineup following training camp.
Murphy’s source mentioned the Utah Mammoth, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Carolina Hurricanes as clubs seeking goalie depth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are overloaded at the goalie position right now. Levi was once seen as their future starter, but his inability to secure a place among their goalie tandem is one reason why they loaded up with more experienced options.
Levi won’t fetch much of a return if the Sabres peddle him. He could bring in at most a third-round pick.
LATEST ON THE BLUES
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford recently pondered what St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would do to help his struggling team. They have a 3-6-2 record after 11 games, and as of Oct. 31, they were winless in their last six contests (0-4-2).
Whatever Armstrong has in mind, it’s unlikely to involve the roster core. That includes Jordan Kyrou, Richard Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Pavel Buchnevich, and Colton Parayko. He observed they’re all under long-term contracts.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would mean peddling depth players on short-term deals, but such moves likely won’t do much to change their fortunes.
