Hockey fans have watched some big names change sweaters over the last few seasons. Last summer, Steven Stamkos departed the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Nashville Predators. This year, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade agreement.
Every year, the teams that lost their star players have to find a way to replace them. The Lightning did so last summer by signing Jake Guentzel to a seven-year contract. It’s a move that certainly worked for them, as he scored a career high 41 goals in 2024-25.
The Maple Leafs, however, have not directly replaced Marner to this point. Toronto has made some moves, trading for Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua. Maccelli, in particular, could be a shrewd move for the Leafs. However, none of the moves made are enough to replace the production lost.
Toronto may not feel the pressure to directly replace Marner, given the names they still have. Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander now have more opportunities to find the back of the net. Still, adding another top-six forward could do a lot to improve their fortunes.
As luck would have it, one big-name star could be available. Stamkos did not have the best debut season with the Predators. If the Maple Leafs could swing a trade for him, though, he could thrive in Ontario.
Steven Stamkos Could Enjoy Bounceback Season
It would be quite overdramatic to say that Stamkos was bad in 2024-25. He had a solid season by anyone’s standards. He scored 27 goals and 52 points while playing in all 82 games. However, the 35-year-old is capable of a lot more.
Stamkos’s underlying numbers aren’t too impressive on the surface. He recorded 4.2 Offensive Goals Above Replacement in 2024-25, according to Evolving Hockey. His defense was not great, though, and he took some bad penalties.
A deeper look shows that he may be in for a bounce-back, though. The Predators star finished with 8.9 Expected Offensive Goals Above Replacement in 2024-25. Additionally, he had 5.1 Expected Power Play Offensive Goals Above Replacement.
In layman’s terms, there’s evidence to suggest he should have had a much larger offensive impact. It’s a major risk to take, but given what Stamkos can do when he plays to expectations, it may be a trade worth making for the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs-Predators Trade Faces Difficulties
Of course, all of this is nice in theory. Stamkos, wearing the blue and white, returning to elite form, is a great visual. However, reality is more difficult than fantasy nine times out of 10.
Including the 2025-26 season, the 35-year-old is signed for three more years at $8 million. Moreover, he owns a full no-movement clause. As a result, he has complete veto power as it pertains to any move involving him. He can’t even be placed on waivers without express permission.
As for Toronto, they have extremely limited cap space. After re-signing Nick Robertson, the Maple Leafs have a little more than $1.9 million in available space. They would need to include some major salary to make this work.
To say this move is unlikely would be an understatement. However, the Predators could certainly entertain the idea if they stumble out of the gate. And the Maple Leafs should be waiting to make this complicated blockbuster work if Stamkos becomes available.
