Winnipeg Jets: Should the Jets Resign Pending UFA Paul Stastny?
As the rumor mill continues to speculate about potential trades involving the Winnipeg Jets, the Jets still have a number of key players from the 2021 season that will become unrestricted free agents unless the Jets and players can agree to a contract extension before July 28.
One player that is a pending UFA is thirty-five-year-old and fifteen-year veteran of the NHL (with over 1,000 games played) Paul Stastny.
During last year’s offseason, Stastny was traded to the Jets from the Golden Knights with one year remaining on his contract. Stastny’s contract carries an average annual value of $6,500,000 and is set to expire this offseason.
Paul Stastny can still be a productive player for the Winnipeg Jets during the 2021-2022 season
Stastny showed last season that he is still a valuable asset to the Jets. Stastny played in all fifty-six regular season games and played predominantly on the “second line.” He scored 13 goals while picking up 16 assists for 29 points. He was also outstanding on faceoffs with a 54.7% faceoff win percentage.
During the first round of the playoffs, Stastny impressed. He scored the overtime winning goal in game two against the Edmonton Oilers and the goal can be seen in the video below:
Stastny is a jack of all trades. He can play center or on the wing and is clutch, scoring four game-winning goals this past season but the issue for the Jets and a new Stastny deal is money.
Out of the 2005 draft class, Stastny has the seventh-highest average annual value in a class that includes Sidney Crosby, Carey Price, and T.J. Oshie.
Compared to players including Jason Spezza, Blake Coleman, Craig Smith, Carter Verhaeghe, Zach Hyman; and Ryan Strome, Stastny has a higher AAV and amassed fewer points than the aforementioned players during the 2021 season.
With that being said, there may be some cheaper options with a similar stat line and style of play available during free agency compared to Stastny.
But the veteran, Stastny, still has a lot to offer. His experience and leadership along with his knack for scoring the big goal are some great reasons to extend his contract. Throughout the years, we have seen Stanley Cup contenders add a veteran player like Stastny who winds up being the last missing piece to a Cup-winning roster.
It will be a smart move for the Jets to resign Stastny, as he can be a key player for Winnipeg in 2021-2022, but the only way I see this getting done is if Stastny signs a more “team-friendly” deal with a much lower AAV.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Do you think the Winnipeg Jets should extend Paul Stastny or let him go to free agency? Leave your comments below!
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