Spencer Stastney: Bio, Contract, Injury Status & Family Connection
When your last name is Stastny, hockey fans already have expectations, but Spencer Stastney, the son of former NHLer Yan Stastny and grandson of Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, has carved his own path from an undrafted college free agent to an Edmonton Oilers defenseman. His December 2025 trade from Nashville turned heads, but the real story is how this 25-year-old blue-liner fits into a franchise desperate for defensive help.
Age: 25 (as of 2025) ·
Team: Edmonton Oilers ·
Position: Defenseman ·
Cap Hit: $825,000 per season
Quick snapshot
- Born January 4, 2000 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Elite Prospects player database)
- Traded to Edmonton Oilers on December 12, 2025 for a 2027 third-round pick (Sportsnet trade report) (Elite Prospects player database)
- Signed two-year, $1.65 million contract via arbitration in July 2024 (NHL.com contract announcement) (Elite Prospects player database)
- His exact injury status as of April 2025 remains undefined (Daily Faceoff injury tracker)
- Whether he will earn a long-term role with the Oilers beyond 2026
- Future contract value as a restricted free agent
- December 12, 2025: Acquired by Edmonton (Sportsnet trade report)
- July 26, 2024: Arbitration award signed (NHL.com contract announcement)
- March 2023: Entry-level contract with Nashville (Notre Dame Athletics)
- Contract expires after 2025-2026 season; becomes RFA (PuckPedia contract tracker)
- Needs to establish himself in Edmonton’s defensive rotation
- Potential arbitration or extension talks in summer 2026
Twelve key facts at a glance, from his undrafted status to his current cap hit:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Spencer Charles Stastney |
| Born | January 4, 2000 |
| Birthplace | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| Position | Defenseman |
| Team | Edmonton Oilers |
| Shoots | Left |
| Height | 6’0″ |
| Weight | 190 lbs |
| NHL Draft | Undrafted |
| NHL Debut | 2023-2024 season |
| Contract Expiry | 2026 (restricted free agent) |
| Cap Hit | $825,000 |
Is Spencer Stastney good?
Stastney went undrafted out of the US National Team Development Program and college at Notre Dame, then signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators in March 2023 (Notre Dame Fighting Irish official announcement). He earned a spot on the Big Ten Second All-Star Team during the 2020-2021 season, showcasing his defensive reliability and smooth skating.
- Made NHL debut in 2023-2024 season, playing 30 games with 1 goal and 8 assists (Sportsnet game log)
- Total 81 career NHL games before trade, 18 points (Sportsnet trade report)
- Elite Prospects rates his skating and hockey IQ as plus attributes (Elite Prospects scouting notes)
Stastney is a low-risk, high-upside depth defender. For a team like Edmonton that needed immediate blue-line help, his $825,000 cap hit and two-way flexibility made the trade a smart gamble.
The pattern: Stastney’s production doesn’t jump off the page, but his underlying metrics (zone exits, defensive zone recoveries) suggest he can hold his own in a third-pairing role. The Oilers aren’t asking him to be a star — they need a reliable, left-shot puck mover who can eat minutes while veterans heal. For an undrafted player, that’s a solid career start.
How much does Spencer Stastney make?
Current contract details
Stastney signed a two-year contract on July 26, 2024 after filing for salary arbitration on July 5, 2024 (NHL.com official contract announcement). The deal: 2 years, $1.65 million total with an average annual value of $825,000.
- 2024-2025: two-way contract (lower salary if assigned to AHL)
- 2025-2026: one-way contract (same salary regardless of league)
- Restricted free agent after 2025-2026 season (PuckPedia cap tracker)
Career earnings
His entry-level contract signed in 2023 with Nashville paid him $850,000 at the NHL level and $70,000 in the AHL. Including signing bonuses, his estimated career earnings are roughly $2.5 million.
For the Oilers, Stastney’s cap hit ($825,000) is less than half the league minimum for a veteran. That gives Edmonton cap flexibility to add another piece before the deadline — a crucial edge for a contender.
The catch: Because his contract expires in 2026, Stastney is playing for his next deal. If he impresses in Edmonton, he could double his salary. If not, he might be a depth option at league minimum.
Is Spencer Stastney injured?
Latest injury updates
As of the most recent reports from Daily Faceoff, Stastney’s injury status is not clearly defined (Daily Faceoff injury tracker). He has not been placed on Injured Reserve, but he also hasn’t been a regular in the lineup.
Historical injuries
No major injuries have been reported in his professional career. He played 81 of a possible 164 games over two seasons, suggesting healthy scratches rather than injury absences.
What this means: The Oilers acquired Stastney partly because their blue line was hit hard — Jake Walman on long-term IR and Brett Kulak traded to Pittsburgh in the Tristan Jarry deal (Sportsnet trade details). Stastney’s clean health record gives Edmonton a reliable body they can plug in immediately.
Is Yan Stastny related to Paul Stastny?
The Stastny family tree
Yes, Yan Stastny is the older brother of Paul Stastny and the son of Peter Stastny, the Hockey Hall of Fame center who starred for the Quebec Nordiques and New Jersey Devils. Yan played 51 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins in the early 2000s.
- Yan Stastny (father) — NHL forward, 51 games
- Paul Stastny (uncle) — 1,145 NHL games, 773 points
- Peter Stastny (grandfather) — 977 NHL games, 1,239 points, Hall of Fame inductee
- Pierce Stastny (brother) — played in USHL (Elite Prospects family listing)
Spencer’s place in the hockey dynasty
Spencer Stastney carries the family legacy as a defenseman — the first Stastny to play that position. His grandfather Peter revolutionized European player movement to the NHL; his uncle Paul was a consistent 60-point center. Spencer’s path is different: undrafted, grinding through college, and now earning a shot with the Oilers.
The trade-off: While the Stastny name opens doors, it also raises expectations. Spencer must prove he belongs on merit, not lineage.
What is Spencer Stastney’s hockey background and career trajectory?
Early life and youth hockey
Born January 4, 2000 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Stastney grew up in the Chicago area. He played for the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP) from 2016 to 2018, a feeder for top NCAA programs (Elite Prospects career timeline).
College career at Notre Dame
Stastney enrolled at the University of Notre Dame in Fall 2018 and played four seasons for the Fighting Irish. His best season came in 2020-2021 when he was named to the Big Ten Second All-Star Team. In 129 NCAA games, he posted 12 goals and 48 assists for 60 points.
- 2020-2021: Big Ten Second All-Star Team
- 2022-2023: Lowe’s Senior Class All-Americans 2nd Team
- Team captain (2022-2023 season)
Stastney’s college production — 0.47 points per game from the blue line — is respectable but not elite. His calling card was always defensive responsibility and transition play, not offensive numbers.
Professional career: Nashville and Edmonton trade
- March 2023: Signed entry-level contract with Nashville Predators as undrafted free agent (Notre Dame announcement)
- 2023-2024 season: Made NHL debut, played 30 games (1 goal, 8 assists)
- 2024-2025 season: Played 51 games for Nashville (2 goals, 7 assists)
- December 12, 2025: Traded to Edmonton Oilers for a 2027 third-round pick (Sportsnet)
Confirmed facts
- Born January 4, 2000 (Elite Prospects)
- Played college hockey at Notre Dame (Notre Dame)
- Traded to Edmonton on December 12, 2025 (Sportsnet)
- Contract: $1.65M total, $825K cap hit (NHL.com)
- Son of Yan Stastny (Elite Prospects)
What remains unclear
- Exact injury status as of April 2025
- Long-term future with Oilers
- Next contract value (RFA in 2026)
- Whether he can secure a top-4 role
What others are saying
“Edmonton was exploring options and was looking for a specific type of player.”
Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators general manager (Yahoo Sports / AP coverage)
“Stastney is a smart, mobile defenseman who can contribute at both ends of the ice. His transition game is NHL-caliber.”
College Hockey Inc. scouting report (via Elite Prospects)
Spencer Stastney entered the NHL as an undrafted afterthought and has turned himself into a trade asset for a contender. For the Oilers, the gamble is small — a third-round pick and a cap-friendly salary — but the payoff could be a dependable defensive piece for a playoff run. For Stastney, the opportunity in Edmonton is clear: prove he belongs in the NHL on his own name, not just his family’s.
sports.yahoo.com, sports.yahoo.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, dailyfaceoff.com, sportsnet.ca, reddit.com, puckpedia.com, instagram.com
For a deeper look at his journey from college hockey to the NHL, Spencer Stastneys career path offers a detailed breakdown of his game and development.
Frequently asked questions
What is Spencer Stastney’s jersey number?
He wore No. 22 with the Nashville Predators. His number with the Edmonton Oilers had not been officially assigned as of early 2026.
What number did Spencer Stastney wear in college?
At Notre Dame, Stastney wore No. 2 for all four seasons.
How many points did Spencer Stastney score in his first NHL season?
In his rookie season (2023-2024), Stastney recorded 1 goal and 8 assists for 9 points in 30 games (Sportsnet).
Who are Spencer Stastney’s parents?
His parents are Yan Stastny (former NHL forward) and Erin Stastny (Elite Prospects family listing).
What high school did Spencer Stastney attend?
He attended a high school in the Chicago area while playing for the USNTDP, though specific school details are not widely published.
What is the relationship between Spencer Stastney and Peter Stastny?
Peter Stastny is Spencer’s grandfather — the Hockey Hall of Fame center who played for the Quebec Nordiques and New Jersey Devils.
Has Spencer Stastney played international hockey?
He represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, suiting up for the NHL-player-depleted U.S. team.
What is Spencer Stastney’s playing style?
Stastney is a left-shot, two-way defenseman who relies on skating and hockey sense. He excels at zone exits and defensive positioning but hasn’t shown high-end offensive production at the NHL level (Elite Prospects scouting report).
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