The prospect of pending unrestricted free agent Paul Stastny re-signing with the Winnipeg Jets is looking bleak.
"We've really had no discussions to date," the forward's agent, Matt Keator, told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "There's plenty of time, so we'll see where it goes."
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and Keator had a brief hello at the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo more than a week ago, but that's about it, LeBrun wrote.
Stastny tallied 53 points this past season, including 13 in 18 games after he was traded from the St. Louis Blues to the Jets at the trade deadline. He added 15 points in 17 playoff games.
As the second-best center set to hit free agency behind John Tavares, Stastny will be in high demand come July 1, so he could be in line for a nice payday.
That doesn't bode well for Cheveldayoff and the Jets, who have nine restricted free agents this year, including Connor Hellebuyck, Jacob Trouba, and Josh Morrissey. Moreover, Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor will be RFAs next season and are eligible for extensions July 1. So are Blake Wheeler and Tyler Myers, who are UFAs after next season.
It's safe to say Cheveldayoff has a lot on his plate this offseason, meaning re-signing Stastny might not sit too high on his priority list.
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