It’s been a while since Predators fans have seen Spencer Stastney on the ice. Why? Other than “personal reasons,” the team is unwilling to say any more.
-- Photo By Mark Humphrey | ApLittle has been said about Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney thus far this season. When training camp opened in September, the team announced he was absent from camp due to personal reasons.
Stastney did not make an appearance in training camp and did not skate in any of the team’s preseason games. When the Predators initial roster was set coming out of training camp, they announced that Stastney had been designated as non-roster.
Stastney last played for Nashville in Game 3 of the Predators playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks. Early in that game, Stastney was given a rough ride into the end boards by Vancouver’s Dakota Joshua.
Stastney briefly returned to that game, but missed the remainder of the series, which Vancouver won in six games, due to an upper-body injury.
This offseason, Stastney elected for salary arbitration, perhaps a curious decision for a player with relatively little experience at the NHL level.
Following his arbitration hearing, Stastney was awarded a two-way contract for this season that pays him $825,000 at the NHL level and a one-way contract for the 2025-26 season that will pay him $825,000.
Two-way contracts mean players earn one salary at the NHL level and a different amount in the minor leagues. Should Stastney play in the minors this season, his salary is set at $400,000.
Stastney was a near lock to make the NHL roster this season and was likely penciled in to compete for significant ice time. The 24-year-old Notre Dame alum possesses elite skating ability and can play in all situations. The Predators opened the season with the bare minimum six defensemen on the NHL roster, so there is room for Stastney if and when he is ready to join the club.
It would stand to reason that Stastney may see some time back with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL when he is able to play, as jumping into the NHL without playing in training camp or preseason might not be a recipe for success, especially for a young player like Stastney.
With a veteran-heavy roster, the Predators are looking to players like Stastney to contribute not only in the present, but in the future as well. Half of the six defensemen on the opening night roster are 30 or older, so getting significant minutes for younger players like Stastney aids in their development and takes some of the workload off the more experienced veterans.
For a team with aspirations of not only qualifying for the playoffs, but advancing far into them as well, keeping some mileage off the veterans would be beneficial.
The Predators selected Stastney in the fifth round of the 2018 Draft and he turned pro after his senior season with the Fighting Irish in 2022.