Stamkos is 35 and has three seasons left on his contract (including this one) at $8 million per year. The fit with the Predators doesn’t seem ideal. There are rumors that Nashville might need to retain salary to move him.
Laine, on the other hand, is 26 and under contract for just one more season at a similar salary ($8.7 million).
If a one-for-one trade happened, Nashville would shed two contract years that aren’t working for them and acquire a player who could either fit immediately or be flipped at the deadline for a pick—since Laine’s contract is short-term, there’s no long-term financial burden.
Montreal, meanwhile, would gain a transitional player already familiar with Martin St. Louis. Stamkos could slot in as a second-line center, bringing leadership and experience as a former captain and Cup winner. He’s proven he can be a difference-maker when paired with elite playmakers like Kucherov. Montreal could bet on him regaining that form alongside another top-tier Russian talent like Demidov.
I watch Dickow over here in Sweden. He didn’t make my team Frölunda, but now plays consistently for another SHL team. He’s doing alright, but nowhere close to Dobes.
Stamkos vs. Laine: Hear me out.
Stamkos is 35 and has three seasons left on his contract (including this one) at $8 million per year. The fit with the Predators doesn’t seem ideal. There are rumors that Nashville might need to retain salary to move him.
Laine, on the other hand, is 26 and under contract for just one more season at a similar salary ($8.7 million).
If a one-for-one trade happened, Nashville would shed two contract years that aren’t working for them and acquire a player who could either fit immediately or be flipped at the deadline for a pick—since Laine’s contract is short-term, there’s no long-term financial burden.
Montreal, meanwhile, would gain a transitional player already familiar with Martin St. Louis. Stamkos could slot in as a second-line center, bringing leadership and experience as a former captain and Cup winner. He’s proven he can be a difference-maker when paired with elite playmakers like Kucherov. Montreal could bet on him regaining that form alongside another top-tier Russian talent like Demidov.
I would be curious to see a Dach-Kapanen-Demidov line in action.
I watch Dickow over here in Sweden. He didn’t make my team Frölunda, but now plays consistently for another SHL team. He’s doing alright, but nowhere close to Dobes.