After a blistering start to the 2025-26 season, the New Jersey Devils have cooled off considerably in recent weeks. In fact, the Devils have plummeted in the Metro Division standings from first to fifth. Much of this fall has been attributed to the team’s injury woes.
The ongoing absence of Jack Hughes has especially hindered New Jersey. Since the star forward suffered a freak hand injury, the Devils have only managed to win four of 10 games. The last victory for the team came on November 28 against the struggling Buffalo Sabres.
With Hughes set to remain out until around mid-January, the Devils are expected to assess the trade market for a new forward. One specific player now being linked with a potential move to New Jersey is Nashville Predators star Steven Stamkos. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun is claiming that Devils execs are currently examining a possible deal for the seven-time All-Star.
“My understanding is that the New Jersey Devils have discussed his name internally, among many other trade targets, of course,” reports LeBrun. “The Devils were also among the suitors for Stamkos when he was a free agent in 2024. So there’s a bit of history there.”
Steven Stamkos’ Time with the Nashville Predators has not Gone to Plan
GettySteven Stamkos has a no-trade clause in his current Nashville Predators contract.
Instead of joining the Devils in 2024, Stamkos opted to sign a massive four-year, $32 million deal with the Preds. As a result, the veteran is currently the third-highest paid player on Nashville’s roster. The decision by Stamkos, however, has not exactly worked out.
Although he is earning a big salary, the Predators have been disappointing since the start of the 2024-25 season. Nashville missed the playoffs that year and now sits at the bottom of the Central Division standings.
Because of their place in the table, the Predators are expected to offload a key player or two ahead of the trade deadline. Stamkos would fit in this category. As LeBrun pointed out, Nashville execs would at least entertain offers for the veteran forward. Stamkos, however, does have a full no-trade clause in his contract and would have to personally accept any potential move.
It remains to be seen if Stamkos views the Devils as an intriguing option looking ahead. Nevertheless, the Devils do have some quality fellow forwards for the veteran to potentially play alongside. Along with Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier all regularly rack up points for the team.
New Jersey Devils Currently Have Financial Restrictions
One possible issue with New Jersey’s potential move for Stamkos involves the team’s finances. According to Puckpedia.com, the Devils have negative projected cap space. Because of this, the team would have to get creative to be able to afford a player like Stamkos. New Jersey would likely also need the Preds to partially cover the star’s contract.
Unless things turn around quickly for the Devils, they are going to have to make a move to give their team a boost. Stamkos has somewhat struggled so far this season, with only 11 points in 27 games. More than half of these points have come in his last five games, though. New Jersey could hope that the veteran would improve by being surrounded by better players.
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