Steven Stamkos and the BS Meter on Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agency Rumors
The 2025-26 NHL season is now a month old, and since the puck dropped on Oct. 7, there have been five trades. However, the only notable deal was the Chicago Blackhawks trading 2022 first-round pick Lukas Reichel to the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 24.
While there haven't been any stars on the move in the trade market, several notable players have come up in the rumor mill.
The early-season struggles of the Calgary Flames have resurrected the trade speculation about Nazem Kadri. Meanwhile, the decline in Steven Stamkos' production with the Nashville Predators has raised questions about his future.
Are these rumors indicative that trades involving those players will take place soon? Follow along as we break out our trusty BS Meter to separate fact from fiction.
Will the Boston Bruins Trade Pavel Zacha?
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Having missed the postseason in 2024-25, the Boston Bruins hoped to rebound as a playoff contender this season.
However, a 4-7-0 start had them sitting last in the Eastern Conference standings by Oct. 27, prompting conjecture over which players could hit the trade block if the Bruins didn't improve.
Pavel Zacha topped that list of trade candidates. The 28-year-old has regularly appeared in the rumor mill since the offseason, sitting fifth on our November Trade Targets list. A versatile two-way forward who can play center or wing, he's signed through 2026-27 with a cap hit of $4.8 million and an eight-team no-trade list.
On Oct. 28, TSN's Pierre LeBrun confirmed the Vancouver Canucks had expressed an interest in Zacha during the summer. Three days later, Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco suggested him as a possible trade target for the struggling Minnesota Wild.
Since then, the Bruins went on a seven-game winning streak that vaulted them near the top of the conference. That has since cooled the speculation that was swirling around Zacha.
BS Meter: It's BS
Teams seeking second-line centers are undoubtedly interested in Zacha, but the Bruins aren't giving up on the season. LeBrun also mentioned they still see the Czech as an important piece of their future, and he wouldn't be surprised if the veteran center signs a contract extension next July.
Could the Calgary Flames Move Nazem Kadri?
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A disappointing opening month for the Calgary Flames has ensured Nazem Kadri remains the focus of trade rumors. The 35-year-old is a skillful, agitating forward whose experience and scoring would draw plenty of interest from clubs seeking a second-line center.
On Nov. 5, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported Flames general manager Craig Conroy was "open for business" in the trade market. He noted the veteran center had been linked to several teams and suggested Conroy could move him before the trade deadline if he received a suitable offer.
Kypreos believes the Carolina Hurricanes could be a suitor, pointing out their pursuit of a top player since falling short on Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner last season. However, he indicated the 'Canes are currently on Kadri's 13-team no-trade list.
The Montreal Canadiens have also been mentioned as a destination for Kadri, but Jack Todd of The Montreal Gazette disagreed. He believes Kadri's age, his $7 million annual cap hit through 2028-29, and his suspension history make him an unsuitable trade option for the Canadiens.
BS Meter: It's BS
On Nov. 6, TSN's Darren Dreger reported Flames ownership was telling people it's not interested in moving Kadri. He also noted the Canadian loves living in Calgary and wants to help the team win. That could change as the season progresses, but for now, he's not going anywhere.
Could the St. Louis Blues Peddle Brayden Schenn?
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A sputtering start to this season has left the St. Louis Blues with a 5-8-3 record, putting them near the bottom of the overall NHL standings by Nov. 10.
As a result, some pundits are pondering whether general manager Doug Armstrong might become an early-season seller if they don't improve.
On Nov. 7, NHL insider Frank Seravalli claimed the Blues were "open for business" in the trade market. He suggested keeping an eye on team captain Brayden Schenn, pointing out that his no-movement clause reverted to a 15-team no-trade list on July 1.
Schenn surfaced in the rumor mill before last season's March trade deadline. The 34-year-old center is under contract through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $6.5 million.
A versatile two-way forward who can play center or left wing, he has reached the 20-goal plateau eight times and reached 40-or-more points 11 times in his 17 NHL seasons.
BS Meter: Not BS
So far, there's no indication the Blues are shopping Schenn, but that could change if they remain mired near the foot of the standings. Teams in the market for second-line centers would be interested in his skills, experience and leadership.
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Could the Nashville Predators Trade Steven Stamkos?
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The Nashville Predators are off to a poor start to this season, with Steven Stamkos' production being a contributing factor.
The 35-year-old forward has just two goals and three points in 16 games, putting him on pace for the worst output in a full season in his 18-season NHL career.
Stamkos is in the second season of a four-year contract with the Predators. He has an average annual value of $8 million and a full no-movement clause. Nevertheless, his play this season has prompted speculation about his future in Nashville.
During an Nov. 5 appearance on Daily Faceoff's Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said he could see a situation where the Predators and Stamkos could meet to discuss their options. He also felt the team would consider retaining part of his salary for an offer that made sense.
On Oct. 30, Paul Chapman of The Vancouver Province cited a report by CHEK TV's Rick Dhaliwal claiming the Canucks had "poked around on Stamkos." Chapman felt a past-his-prime Stamkos wouldn't be much help to the Canucks, and he didn't blame the struggling club for looking into it.
BS Meter: It's BS
On Nov. 7, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Predators haven't spoken with another club about Stamkos, and he hadn't approached him about a trade. He doesn't rule out that possibility if they're out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline, but it's far too early for that type of move.
Will Evgeni Malkin Consider a Trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins?
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The Pittsburgh Penguins entered this season expected by most observers to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year. That generated trade speculation about several of their players, including center Evgeni Malkin, who was 10th on our October NHL Trade Block Big Board.
The 39-year-old is in the final season of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He could also retire at season's end. He didn't rule out staying in Pittsburgh, but indicated he didn't know how he'd react if management approached him with a trade offer.
A month later, the Penguins are off to a better-than-expected start, jockeying for first place in the Eastern Conference. Nevertheless, Sportsnet's Luke Fox questioned their ability to maintain that pace. If they slide out of contention, Fox believes Malkin would be a high-interest trade target by the March deadline.
However, Fox's colleague, Nick Kypreos, noted the Penguins' strong start has silenced much of the trade speculation that has dogged the club since earlier in the season. He thinks Malkin could be out of the trade market if the Penguins remain in the playoff hunt throughout the season.
BS Meter: It's BS...for now
As long as the Penguins remain in the postseason hunt, they aren't moving Malkin, or fellow veterans Bryan Rust, Erik Karlsson, or Rickard Rakell. Management has been replacing older veterans with younger players over the past three years, but they also want to be competitive this season.
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