The New Jersey Devils have discussed acquiring veteran forward Steven Stamkos from the Nashville Predators, according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.
No trade is close to happening. But Nashville indicated in November it’s open to listening to offers for both Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.
Stamkos is earning $8 million annually on a four-year contract he signed with Nashville last July. The 35-year-old left Tampa Bay after 16 seasons with the Lightning.
His production has dropped significantly since the move.
Stamkos posted 81 points in his final season with Tampa Bay. He managed just 53 points in 82 games during his first year in Nashville.
This season has been even more difficult. Stamkos has eight goals and three assists in 27 games.
Nashville sits 30th in the NHL standings with a 10-13-4 record. The Predators have the league’s second-worst goal differential at minus-23.
Any potential trade would require Stamkos’s approval. He has a full no-movement clause in his contract.
The Devils currently hold the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They’re just three points behind first place in the Metropolitan Division.
New Jersey has approximately $2.8 million in salary cap space, according to PuckPedia.
The Devils would likely need Nashville to retain salary or include additional players to make the financial aspects work.
