Preds Fielded Stamkos Calls Pre-Deadline

Nashville's phone rang off the hook with inquiries about Steven Stamkos right up to the buzzer, testing GM Barry Trotz's resolve on his star captain. Those whispers from rival execs reveal how fragile contender rosters stay even after the deadline passes. In this league, a "lot of calls" means someone's always sniffing for a disgruntled sniper, and the Preds' next few weeks will show if they dodged a bullet or missed a signal.