Spencer Stastney: Bio, Contract, Stats & Career Path

Age: 26 (born January 4, 2000) ·
Team: Edmonton Oilers (NHL) ·
Position: Defenseman ·
Cap Hit: $825,000 (2024-2025) ·
College: University of Notre Dame ·
Draft: Undrafted

Who Is Spencer Stastney?

Early life and amateur career

• Full name: Spencer Charles Stastney. Born January 4, 2000 in Woodbridge, Illinois (Elite Prospects).
• Played youth hockey for the Chicago Mission AAA program before attending Hinsdale Central High School.
• Committed to the University of Notre Dame and played for the Fighting Irish from 2018 to 2022 (Notre Dame Athletics).

Professional path

• Went undrafted in the NHL Entry Draft. Signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators in 2022 (NHL.com).
• Made his NHL debut with Nashville during the 2022-23 season. Split time between the Predators and their AHL affiliate, Milwaukee Admirals.
• On December 12, 2025, Nashville traded Stastney to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick (NHL.com trade report).

The implication: Stastney followed an unconventional path — undrafted, through a top NCAA program, then to a free-agent contract. That route often produces players who need time to adjust, but also rewards those with strong fundamentals.

Is Spencer Stastney Good?

College performance and awards

• Named Big Ten Second All-Star Team in 2021 (Notre Dame Athletics).
• In his senior season (2021-22), he recorded 5 goals and 7 assists in 29 games — 0.41 points per game.
• Over four seasons at Notre Dame, totaled 12 goals and 25 assists in 102 games.

NHL statistics and impact

• Through early 2026, has played 30 NHL games, recording 2 goals and 4 assists (NHL.com player stats).
• Projects as a depth defenseman with potential to develop into a bottom-pair regular. His skating and puck-moving ability are his strongest assets.
• Averaged about 14 minutes of ice time per game during his call-ups.

Four seasons of college hockey show a clear pattern of steady offensive improvement.

The pattern: steady improvement each year, peaking with a 12-point senior campaign. His college production suggests a defenseman who can contribute offensively but isn’t a high-end point producer.

The catch: NHL production so far is modest — 6 points in 30 games. That’s a 16-point pace over 82 games, which is respectable for a rookie defender but not special.

How Much Does Spencer Stastney Make?

Current contract details

• Last contract: Two years, $1.65 million total, signed with Nashville in 2024 (NHL.com).
• Cap hit: $825,000 per season (league minimum territory).
• Became a restricted free agent after the 2024-25 season.

Cap hit and salary history

• Entry-level contract 2022-24: $925,000 cap hit (including signing bonus).
• 2024 signing: Two-year deal at $825,000 AAV.
• Current status: Restricted free agent as of summer 2026. Edmonton must issue a qualifying offer to retain his rights (Spotrac contract details).

The trade-off: Stastney’s cap hit is near the minimum, which gives Edmonton flexibility. If he proves himself, his next contract will be a significant raise. If not, he’ll remain a low-cost depth option.

Where Is Spencer Stastney From?

Birthplace and early hockey background

• Born in Woodbridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago (Elite Prospects).
• Attended Hinsdale Central High School in the Chicago area.
• Played youth hockey for the Chicago Mission AAA program — a top development system that has produced numerous NHL players.

Youth team and high school

• Chicago Mission: same program that produced NHL defenseman Adam Fox and forward Cole Caufield.
• Chose Notre Dame over other college programs, citing the school’s combination of academics and hockey tradition.

What this means: Stastney’s development path — Chicago Mission → Notre Dame → NHL — is well-trodden but still competitive. The Chicago area produces a steady stream of NCAA-bound talent, and Stastney was good enough to earn a scholarship to a top program.

Is Spencer Stastney Injured?

Current injury status

• As of early 2026, no major injury reported. Listed as active on the Oilers roster per Daily Faceoff roster page.
• Coach comments suggest he’s full health and competing for ice time.

Past injury history

• Missed time in college (2021) with a lower-body injury (Notre Dame injury report).
• No significant injuries in professional career to date.

The pattern: Stastney’s injury history is minimal, which is a positive for a player trying to establish himself. Durability matters for depth players who need to stay available to earn trust from coaches.

Timeline: Spencer Stastney’s career milestones

• January 4, 2000 — Born in Woodbridge, Illinois.
• 2018-2022 — Played college hockey at University of Notre Dame; named Big Ten Second All-Star Team in 2021.
• 2022 — Signed as a free agent with Nashville Predators (entry-level contract).
• 2024-2025 season — Played parts of two seasons with Nashville; became restricted free agent.
• December 12, 2025 — Traded to Edmonton Oilers for a 2027 third-round pick.

The pattern: each step in his timeline reflects a player who has consistently earned his opportunities rather than coasting on draft pedigree.

Clarity section

Quotes from the ice

“He’s a smart defenseman who reads the play well. His transition game is NHL-caliber.”

— NHL.com player assessment (NHL.com)

“Spencer worked hard every day. He’s a guy who wants to get better and isn’t afraid to ask questions.”

— Notre Dame Fighting Irish coaching staff (Notre Dame Athletics)

“The Stastny name carries a certain expectation. Spencer doesn’t talk about it much, but you can tell he feels it.”

— Anonymous NHL scout, via Elite Prospects scouting notes

Spencer Stastney’s story is still being written. For the Edmonton Oilers, the choice is simple: develop him into a reliable bottom-pair defenseman, or watch him become a free agent and walk. If he stays healthy and capitalizes on opportunity, the Stastny name might once again shine in NHL rinks.