Devils, Islanders predicted to battle for 597-goal legend in blockbuster trade

Billy Heyen

Devils, Islanders predicted to battle for 597-goal legend in blockbuster trade image

The New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders may be competing for a headline-grabbing trade.

The player on offer: Steven Stamkos, currently with the Nashville Predators.

Stamkos has 597 career goals (and 615 assists for 1,212 points).

At 35 years old, he's a trade candidate before the NHL deadline in March.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun thinks the Devils make the most sense as a destination.

"We know the Devils have talked about Stamkos internally, and we know New Jersey would like to boost its offense," LeBrun writes. "Moving Ondrej Palat and his $6 million cap hit (signed through next season, with a 10-team list as part of his modified no-trade) would make sense as part of this deal to make the math work."

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The Athletic's Chris Johnston suggests the Islanders as an alternative.

"The Islanders are hanging in the playoff race, but could use an offensive boost to help them get there," Johnston writes. "After a sluggish start, Stamkos has been finding the net with much more regularity and still has the finishing ability to boost a power play."

Stamkos isn't the player he once was, but he still has 15 goals in 36 games played this season. He can put the puck into the back of the net.

There are teams that could certainly use help with that. Stamkos' name will likely remain popular in trade rumors until he gets moved, or until the March 6 deadline passes.

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Contributing Writer