The Los Angeles Kings are going all-in this season, but a devastating blow at the 2026 Winter Olympics just flipped their script. When star winger Kevin Fiala went down with a season-ending leg injury, LA’s playoff aspirations were immediately put in jeopardy. But General Manager Ken Holland isn’t waving the white flag.
According to NHL insider Adam Proteau of The Hockey News, the Kings should aggressively look into acquiring Nashville Predators captain Steven Stamkos. And frankly, this rumor isn’t just smoke—it is the exact type of blockbuster pivot the Kings need.
Stamkos carries an $8 million average annual value (AAV), which almost perfectly aligns with the $7.875 million void left by Fiala. Even better, Los Angeles already boasts over $15 million in projected trade deadline cap space. After Holland shocked the league by acquiring playmaking dynamo Artemi Panarin from the Rangers earlier this month, adding a lethal sniper like Stamkos could create an unstoppable power-play unit. Imagine Panarin teeing up passes for Stamkos at the half-circle. It’s a terrifying thought for the rest of the Western Conference, and it rewards fans who want to see LA chase the Cup right now.
How Steven Stamkos Fits the Los Angeles Kings’ Offensive Strategy
As an NHL analyst, I’ve watched teams try to replace superstar production at the deadline, and it usually results in overpaying for rentals. But Stamkos wouldn’t be a rental. With two years remaining on his contract, he represents a stabilizing force for a franchise aiming for a multi-year Stanley Cup window.
Stamkos is defying age. At 36, he already has 28 goals in 57 games, putting him on a commanding 40-goal pace this season. Fiala was a massive part of LA’s transition game, but Stamkos brings a veteran pedigree and a pure shooting mentality that this roster currently lacks. If he and Panarin mesh well offensively, the Kings won’t just replace Fiala’s production; they might actually upgrade their half-court offensive execution.
Will the Nashville Predators Actually Pull the Trigger?
The biggest hurdle here isn’t the cap space; it’s the control. Stamkos has a full no-movement clause, meaning he holds the keys to his own destiny. Will he accept a move to Los Angeles?
If the Nashville Predators fully commit to being sellers ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, moving Stamkos could fetch the premium assets needed to accelerate their retooling phase. However, Predators GM Barry Trotz is a shrewd negotiator. Reports indicate he hasn’t received an offer enticing enough to approach Stamkos about waiving his clause. The Kings will have to make a competitive pitch—likely involving a top-tier prospect or high draft capital—to make Trotz pick up the phone. But if Holland is truly going all-in, it’s a gamble he has to take.
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The post Why the Los Angeles Kings Trading for Steven Stamkos Makes Perfect Sense appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
