Around the NHL: Trade talks heating up, could Steven Stamkos become a Carolina Hurricane?

As far as potential destinations go, the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens are in the market for a top-six centre, meanwhile the Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked before, however, they could likely use a top-six right-winger a little more than another centre, or left wing.

Moving on from Kadri, there’s also the Boston Bruins who appear to be a team involved in trade conversations. Hockey insider David Pagnotta recently named Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt as two Bruins’ forwards who make sense as trade candidates, and Zacha’s been linked to the Canucks by multiple insiders. Boston is off to a 4-6-0 start and don’t feel like a team who will make the playoffs this season, so it could certainly be a rebuild year where they move a couple of veterans within their lineup.

The Mammoth are another team to keep an eye on as Pagnotta sees them adding a significant piece this season. Owner Ryan Smith is as aggressive and involved as any owner in the league and with their recent success, it’s very likely they push some chips in this season and spend some organizational assets to add top-six forward, or top-four defenseman.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun mentioned the Columbus Blue Jackets being involved in trade talks recently, and centered around disgruntled former first-round pick Yegor Chinakhov. While conversations are ongoing, and the Blue Jackets have received offers, general manager Don Waddell hasn’t been satisfied with most offers being only draft picks or prospects. Columbus wants to insert a player to their roster immediately, and LeBrun mentioned he sees a ‘hockey trade’ coming at some point for the Blue Jackets. There were some rumblings the Toronto Maple Leafs offered Nick Robertson over the summer, but talks didn’t escalate.

Steven Stamkos to Carolina Hurricanes?

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos is off to a very slow start this season. The former Stanley Cup champion has recorded just one goal and one assist in 10 games, and has already found himself being discussed in trade rumors. Friedman recently commented on the situation and mentioned if things don’t get better, it could be a scenario where both the player and the team decide the best approach moving forward is a trade.

Stamkos has two seasons left on his contract at $8 million AAV, and holds a full no-movement clause. He controls his own destiny and went from a wonderful career in Tampa Bay, to Broadway St in Nashville with nice weather, lots of golf courses, and the country music scene. Unfortunately, the production on the ice hasn’t been there – so where too next?

Would the Carolina Hurricanes make sense for Stamkos’ next move? The ‘Canes made some significant moves over the course of last season and the summer, and we know GM Eric Tulsky isn’t afraid to make bold transactions. Carolina could use another top-six forward, they have almost $10 million in cap space, and as far as destinations go, seem to be a fit for what Stamkos would be looking for in his next team. Stanley Cup contender, warm climate, less media attention, keep an eye on Nashville and Carolina in trade talks this season.

Quick hits from around the NHL

• Jack Eichel and Nick Schmaltz are tied atop the NHL’s stats leaders with 16 points a piece, meanwhile Macklin Celebrini is on fire for San Jose, and is now just one back with 15 points.
• Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes was the first goaltender ever to start both his first and second NHL seasons 5-0-0. He sits second in the NHL with a 1.77 goals against average. Washington Capitals’ Logan Thompson leads the league with a 1.50.
• Colorado Avalanche blueliner Cale Makar leads all NHL defencemen with 11 points early on this year, and is once again going to be a heavy favourite to win the Norris Trophy.
• While Matthew Schaefer has been a huge story on Long Island so far this season, Canadiens’ forward Ivan Demidov leads all NHL rookies with nine points through his first 10 games.
• The Detroit Red Wings have surprised many with their 6-3-0 start.
• Pittsburgh Penguins’ Rickard Rakell underwent hand surgery over the weekend and is expected to miss roughly two months.
• Predators’ Roman Josi is currently week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
• Canadiens’ Patrik Laine suffered a core muscle injury and could miss up to four months.
• Goaltender Carter Hart signed a two-year, $2 million AAV contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.
• The Blackhawks traded forward Lukas Reichel to the Canucks for a 2027 fourth-round pick.