Paul Stastny’s second go around with the Winnipeg Jets was just as successful as the first.
His 13 goals and 29 points in 56 games won’t jump out at you, but it was the little things he did on the ice that made him so valuable to the Jets offensive depth.
Throughout his 56 regular season games, Stastny was a reliable two-way forward, one that seemingly made everyone around him better. He was versatile—moving out to the wing when asked by head coach Paul Maurice. The early season acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois created a logjam of top-six centers.
Now, facing unrestricted free agency, Stastny is without a new contract as he decides what’s next in his professional hockey career.
He’s in no rush to come to a decision.
“Whatever happens, I’ll probably just take my time away with it. Now that I’m older, options are probably more limited, but you have an idea of what’s best for me, what’s best for my family,… he said. “When it comes to dealing with my agent and my old man, we kind of all sit there together and figure it out. We’ll be patient about it. There’s no rush.…
As Stastny continues to get older, expecting another 25-goal, 60-point season may be a silly expectation, but from the outside, it feels as if he’s one of the games more respected leaders and a teammate that every Jet enjoys having.
Sometimes, qualities like that, get you far in this league.
“You kind of have an idea of what places you want to play at. You want to be where it’s a good fit for you and you want to go somewhere you’re wanted, too. I have nothing but good things to say here,… said Stastny. “I know the future has always been bright (for the Jets), it continues to be bright and there’s always going to be a chance (to win) here.…
After getting hurt in the Jets final game of the regular season, the injury certainly impacted him on the ice in the playoffs. He just didn’t look the same. But then again, after the Oilers series, who really did?
It would have been nice to see how much a healthy Stastny would have helped the Jets, especially with the suspension of Mark Scheifele.
Maurice’s love for veterans and his preference to play them in more key situations than his younger guys makes the fit in Winnipeg an ideal situation for Stastny.
As it often does, it will come down to money and term. Money the Jets have to spend, but would they be wiser to use that money to address a bigger need and add to their blueline?
"We've got some contracts we do need to take care of ourselves, obviously on the RFA side," said general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. "So, there's lots of work on that regard that will dictate what we have available to be aggressive or not, if there's players that fit that mold."
Stastny is just one of nine UFA’s this summer, the Jets also have five RFA’s they will have to deal with. That, combined with the looming expansion and entry drafts makes for one busy summer in Winnipeg.