Winnipeg Jets trade with the St. Louis Blues for Paul Stastny

Jets make their first move of the day acquiring Paul Stastny from the St. Louis Blues for their 1st round pick in 2018, Erik Foley and a conditional 4th round pick in 2020.  In 63 games for the Blues this season he has 12 goals and 28 assists.  He has spent the last four seasons with the Blues.  Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet says he waived his no-move clause to come to Winnipeg.  He and Jets captain Blake Wheeler played together during the lockout for EHC München in 2012-13.  Since Stastny has worn 26 for most of his career he will be giving up his familiar number since it is already worn by the Jets captain and will instead be wearing 25 when he makes his Winnipeg debut.

Some insight into what Stastny brings to the Jets:

Stastny to Jets. Winnipeg is one of the best teams in the league moving pucks into the middle of the ice – Stastny excels in that area – precision passer. Jets now have 5 forwards in the top 60 in pass to slot completion %; Stastny is top 30. Easy to argue now best top 9 in NHL.

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) February 26, 2018

The Blues are getting a solid prospect in Foley (3rd rounder) who was part of the vaunted 2015 draft class for the Jets.

With respect to the Jets conditional draft pick in 2020 Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun tweeted:

As for the conditions of the deal, #NHLJets will only surrender the 2020 4th-rounder if F Erik Foley doesn’t sign a contract with #stlblues by Aug. 16 of 2019. Would say there’s a better than average chance Foley leaves Providence College after his junior season.

— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) February 26, 2018

Following today’s skate a number of players spoke about the impact of the trade:

Blake Wheeler

Matt Hendricks

You can also hear the thoughts of Laine, Ehlers, Byfuglien and coach Maurice.  Click here.

Stastny spoke to the guys on Sportsnet Trade Deadline show spoke for about seven minutes about the move to Winnipeg.  Click here.

As always stay tuned for the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news by keeping it locked to our web site  illegalcurve.com and on social media including Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.  You can also follow me on twitter as well (@icdave).