Steven Stamkos Linked to New Jersey Devils: Analyzing the Blockbuster Rumor

0 Diana khan December 05, 2025

If you thought the New Jersey Devils were done hunting for big names, think again. According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Devils have held internal discussions regarding Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos. While Stamkos, 35, is currently locked into an $8 million AAV deal through 2027-28 with a full No-Movement Clause (NMC), the smoke is starting to rise. LeBrun notes that while a move isn’t imminent, Nashville “would definitely listen.” For Devils fans, this is a massive development: a potential power-play savior is on the radar, but the cap gymnastics required to pull this off would be nothing short of a miracle.

Let’s be real for a second—this rumor makes too much sense to ignore. When Stamkos hit free agency in 2024, the Devils were right there in the mix. They wanted that veteran pedigree then, and arguably, they need it even more now as they look to solidify their status as legitimate contenders in the Metro.

From my perspective, this isn’t about getting the 60-goal scorer of a decade ago. It’s about getting “The Office.” Despite a dip in 5v5 production since the 2023-24 season, Stamkos remains a lethal weapon from the left circle. The Devils’ power play has weapons, but adding arguably one of the greatest one-timers of this generation to a unit that features Jack Hughes? That is a terrifying prospect for opposing goaltenders.

The Cap Crunch: Can the Devils Afford Stamkos?

Here is where the fantasy hits a wall of reality. The Devils are projected to have roughly $3.6 million in deadline cap space. Stamkos carries an $8 million ticket. For this to work, three things need to happen:

Retention: Nashville (or a third-party broker) has to eat significant salary.
The NMC: Stamkos has to agree to waive his clause to leave a tax-free state for New Jersey.
The Asset Cost: Even with his production declining, a retained Stamkos costs high draft capital or top prospects.

Personally, I believe Stamkos’s value has softened enough that the Devils wouldn’t have to gut their roster to get him, but they would have to get creative with the money. If Nashville decides to re-tool rather than rebuild, shedding that contract might be motivation enough for them to make the price palatable. Watch this space closely as we approach the March 6 deadline; where there is smoke, there is usually a GM trying to make the math work.