It probably would've been enough for Spencer Stastney just to make the Nashville Predators opening night roster.
After a battle with despression and anxiety that lead him to miss camp and consider retirement seriously enough that he filled out the paper work, Stastney was far from a lock to make the Predators out of the gate. Just doing that should be considered an accomplishment.
Stastney isn't just settling for that though, and his on ice triumph is coming at just the right moment for the Predators, who are really going to need him.
An Injury, An Opportunity for Spencer Stastney
Unfortunately, the injury bug struck early for the Nashville Predators, and it bit one of their most important players. Roman Josi is going to be out week-to-week with an upper body injury, that is unrelatedto the issues with POTS he dealt with last season and is currently managing.
Now the blow is buoyed a bit by getting Nicolas Hague back from the injured reserve, but trying to replace Josi's minutes isn't a task any one player can really manage. Stastney isn't eating as many minutes as the other defenders currently, but over his most recent stretch of hockey he's made the most of his opportunities.
Stastney just had a four-game point steak end in a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, putting his season total at one goal and three assists in 11 games tying his career high in points from 2023-24 in half as many games, while managing nearly a minute less in ice time. He has a great jump and is making himself involved in all parts of the ice.
This shouldn't be a surprise with how Stastney's AHL season played out last year, with 17 points in just 26 games. The Notre Dame product has been close to becoming an NHL regular in the past, but as of right now he's one, and he isn't likely to lose his spot in the lineup soon.
What Does Stastney need to do to stay in Nashville Predators starting lineup?
Scoring cures everything, so as long as Stastney has a hot stick, he'll be in the lineup. That is also the lifeline that Justin Barron is riding on. It seems that Nick Blankenburg is stuck in the press box for now as long as those two are regular contributors.
Adam Wilsby is slightly ahead of Stastney in the pecking order currently. He's averaging more minute but he isn't giving as much production offensively and the possession metrics are about the same at current reading.
Consistency for Stastney is going to be a key. His NHL career high is just 23 games, and he's already halfway there. He can't hit a wall when the Predators boast a pretty decent crop of NHL ready defenders. If he falters. He is also no longer waiver exempt, so there won't be any free AHL trips either.
Stastney is about to be a Group 6 UFA, so the time is now for himto put in his biggest and best year yet, and maybe the Predators will reward him before the year is out.