With Steven Stamkos reportedly willing to waive his no-movement clause for three specific contenders, Nashville must strike now to maximize the veteran's surging value before the draft.
According to reports during the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos has a list of three teams that he is willing to waive his no-movement clause to join.
In a report around the same time from TSN's Pierre LeBrun, he notes that the three teams on Stamkos' trade list are his former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.
It's not overly surprising to see the Lightning on the list. It truly never felt like he wanted to leave the organization, but when he had no choice, he opted to join the Predators.
Now, that the Predators appear to be tearing it down a bit under new GM Chris MacFarland, it makes sense why Stamkos could consider leaving. That said, at this time, LeBrun reports that he hasn't officially asked out.
Stamkos, 32, is in his second year of a four-year contract that carries an average annual value (AAV) of $8 million. There could be a world where the Predators need to retain $2 million to get the trade package that they want from a contending team.
Obviously, it was a different front office at the time, but it would be incredibly smart for MacFarland to check in and see what the market is for Stamkos. Especially with how hot the trade market has been. They may be able to get more than they if they waited until the Draft or just after.
