While the Tristan Jarry acquisition got much of the headline, the Edmonton Oilers made another gamble to improve their team last week. While the potential upgrade in net is important, the Oilers added Spencer Stastney to help offset the loss of Brett Kulak.
Let’s take a closer look at what Stastney brings to the ice, and how he might fit into the Oilers blueline as a whole.
Stastney’s player profile
Stastney has some clear strengths on his scouting report. The hallmark of his game is strong skating and passing. While he does not have gamebreaking offensive upside, he can help his team advance the puck. There is a certain subtlety here, as Stastney employs smart, simple, and effective plays.
A fifth-round pick, Stastney has taken a long road to the NHL. The Nashville Predators were in no hurry to force the issue before promoting him fully last season. The 25-year-old has shown consistent improvement over his career, and played in the NHL in stretches over the past several years.
Stastney went to Notre Dame, famous for their academic standards for student athletes. At the very least this shows some willingness to work and determination that seem to have been reflected in his on ice play. Stastney also became a well liked member of the Predators, falling victim to a numbers crunch of left shot defencemen more than anything else. There are certainly some Preds fans questioning his departure, though draft capital is the name of the game for the rebuilding franchise.
He has had to become reliable without the puck to reach this point. While he is by no means a physical in zone defender, Stastney uses his skating and smarts to remain effective defensively. A key role on the penalty kill is by no means a guarantee, but Stastney is reliable enough to earn a depth role on either special teams.
Stastney profiles as a third pairing defenceman with limited physical abilities. There does not seem to be much upside beyond that, however Stastney has a blend of youth and experience that might see his best hockey ahead of him.
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Fit within the Oilers lineup
It would seem that the vision GM Stan Bowman has for his blueline is fairly modern. The Oilers already have a lot of skill on their blueline, and clearly Bowman was not shy to prioritize more. Fellow Bowman addition Jake Walman is a prime example, though Stastney is clearly a rung below.
A big piece of the puzzle is what was lost in Brett Kulak. Kulak brings some similar elements, albeit in a larger frame. Some solid skating and passing skills, and enough reliability in his own end to mop up third pairing minutes. For now, Stastney slides into Kulak’s old spot alongside Ty Emberson.
At full health, Kulak remained a staple to the Oilers blueline, however this might not be the case for Stastney just yet. Stastney must still earn his way above the likes of Alec Regula and Ty Emberson. This might sound like competition, but ultimately it is a collaboration.
Between the trio of Stastney, Emberson, and Regula the Oilers have three young, serviceable, and affordable defencemen with a good blend of talents between them. Stastney’s skating and passing brings an element to the trio.
All three might have their best years ahead of them, and could even replicate some of what Kulak has been able to accomplish in his career. The Oilers might well have gotten Kulak’s best seasons, and will look to do the same with this trio. The timeline is important, as this season and the next two will have Connor McDavid under contract for a great value. With three good affordable options on the blueline the Oilers can splurge elsewhere.
This move provides some certainty, speaking to some less proven players in the system. Both Cam Dineen and Atro Leppanen have similar offensive offerings, but are older and less experienced than Stastney. Meanwhile, younger options Damian Carfagna and Beau Akey remain beyond consideration at this point.
A restricted free agent at the end of the season, Stastney could be an Oiler beyond this season as well. He should be a solid and affordable bottom pairing defenceman for the Oilers for a while if he can play to his potential. The results so far seem promising, though given how Kulak’s play had fallen off the bar is not set so high.
