NHL Rumors: Predators, Devils, Canucks, Stars and Bruins

Nashville Predators GM holding strong on not wanting to retain salary on Steven Stamkos

The Fourth Period: Sources continue to say that teams are asking the Nashville Predators to retain salary on forward Steven Stamkos, with Predators GM Barry Trotz continuing to say that they don’t want to retain.

The New Jersey Devils are one of the teams that have checked in on Stamkos, who is said to be willing to waive his no-movement clause for the right fit. It’s not known who Stamkos views as the right fit.

Predators forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Jonathan Marchessault are also generating some trade interest. Like Stamkos, nothing seems imminent, and the Preds are right in the playoff race after going on a bit of a run.

NHL Rumors: Ottawa Senators, and the Calgary Flames

It’s ‘highly unlikely’ that Kiefer Sherwood is extended, and two potentially interested teams

Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Sun: The Vancouver Canucks made another offer to pending UFA forward Kiefer Sherwood, but it’s “highly unlikely” that he’ll be re-signing with the Canucks. Elliotte Friedman noted on the weekend that there is a “sizable gap.”

Sherwood has 17 goals this season and is on pace for 34. He’s also second in the league with 198 hits. His value to a Stanley Cup contender is high. At a $1.5 million salary cap hit, the Canucks can hope for a bidding war. As the Canucks are looking at a hybrid retool, paying Sherwood in the $5 million range may not make sense.

Term and money are going to be important for Sherwood as he’s only had short-term deals throughout his career.

The Canucks are hopeful to get a first-round pick and a prospect (or equivalent roster player and a lower pick) for Sherwood.

The Dallas Stars could be a team to look at Sherwood, given the injury to right-winger Tyler Seguin. He might be nice with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. The Stars don’t have their 2026 first-round pick, though. Would the Canucks be interested in Mavrik Bourque and maybe a second-round pick?

NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, and the Anaheim Ducks

The Boston Bruins have their 2026 first-round, and Sherwood’s style suits the Bruins. Could they pry Fraser Minten and a second-round pick? The Bruins are 27-year-old Casey Mittelstadt and his $5.75 million cap hit for one more year.

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