NHL insider drops major news regarding the trade fate of Predators' Steven Stamkos

The Nashville Predators were, arguably, the biggest movers in free agency this summer, signing former Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos, along with Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.

To most, that placed them as realistic Stanley Cup contenders in the super-competitive Western Conference. Yet here they are, 31 games into the regular season, dead last in the West with a miserable 8-17-6 record.

And, with the losses piling up, there have been rumblings that GM Barry Trotz might look towards a rebuild and that Steven Stamkos could be one of the first pieces to go. But one reporter has shot that rumor down.

Per Marco D'Amico, the Preds have zero intention of moving Stamkos. To the contrary, they're trying to add at center, attempting to acquire the Sabres' young forward Dylan Cozens.

The added spark of his services would be acquired by a Nashville team with their season gone awry. But then again, the 23-year-old would be arriving just in time.

The Predators don't have suitors for his services alone, though, as he reportedly is in talks with several teams.

Meanwhile, Stamkos has disappointing numbers this season with only eight goals and 16 points in 31 games. With those struggles, though, perhaps moving Stamkos isn't the answer.

He and Ryan O'Reilly remain the only established centers on the roster, so retaining both and adding depth down the middle seems key if the Predators still hope to make a charge and compete for a position in the playoffs.