When the Winnipeg Jets decided to move a package that included a first-round pick and intriguing prospect Erik Foley at the deadline for 32-year old center Paul Stastny, some people raised an eyebrow in questioning the move. The Jets were good, no doubt, but after missing the playoffs the previous two seasons was this the right time to sacrifice future assets? After all, Stastny was a pending free agent who had just 12 goals on the season, a far cry from the 70-point player of his youth.
As the Jets—and Stastny—are proving now, sometimes you just have to go for it. Winnipeg would go 15-4-1 down the stretch, with Stastny contributing 13 points, and enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NHL. The performance of that pending free agent has continued through the first round and a half, registering 10 points in nine games and making quite the impact on his younger teammates. In a glowing examination of the trade by Luke Fox of Sportsnet, Jets captain Blake Wheeler is quoted:
[Stastny] is just incredibly consistent, professional, everything you’d want in a centreman, especially in tough series. There’s no ins and outs of his game. He plays extremely hard and does a lot of little things that go unnoticed and aren’t really taught to young players anymore.
Those little things have made him a perfect fit for the Jets, who look like they’ve opened a long window of contention this season, even if they don’t eventually get past the Nashville Predators—the series is tied 2-2 after a Predators win last night. Stastny has also solidified his place in the free agent market with his strong play down the stretch, to the point where he could end up the top center available. Mikael Backlund has already been re-signed, and the situation regarding John Tavares remains unclear. At worst Stastny will be second, and could command quite the contract.
The Jets have to be wondering if they can keep him, but it’s not as simple as offering him market value. Winnipeg has to worry about new contracts for a handful of players including top defensemen Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey this summer, and potentially Wheeler, Tyler Myers, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine in 2019. It seems unlikely that Stastny would take a one-year deal, meaning they’ll have to carefully assess their finances going forward before making an offer.
Do you think Stastny will re-sign with the Jets? How much can he ask for on the open market? Who else will be after his services? Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments.
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Anyone who votes yes cannot do basic math. The cap will not go up from 80 million to 100 million by 2019. The jets not only will lose Stastny but other high priced guys. It’s the reality in the cap world.
It would be an interesting case if the blues were to attempt to sign him again.
He goes to the Canes or Islanders (if Taveres leaves)
Unfortunately just a rental, as said, going to have to move some pieces just to keep salaries down.