Spencer Stastney: Biography, Contract, Stats, and Career

Five years after the Nashville Predators used a fifth-round pick on him, Spencer Stastney is settling into the Edmonton Oilers’ blue line — a quiet arrival for a defenseman whose development has been anything but quiet. He arrived via a December 2025 trade that sent a third-round pick to Nashville, bringing with him a college résumé that includes a Big Ten Second All-Star Team selection and a career-high five-goal season at Notre Dame. This guide covers the 25-year-old’s career, contract details, and what his role looks like in Edmonton.

Full name: Spencer Charles Stastney · Date of birth: January 4, 2000 · Birthplace: Woodridge, Illinois · Position: Defenseman · Current team: Edmonton Oilers · NHL draft: 5th round (131st overall) by Nashville Predators in 2018

Ten key specs, one snapshot: Stastney’s physical profile and career markers fit the modern two-way defenseman mold — average height, efficient frame, and a collegiate track record that earned him an NHL look.

Who is Spencer Stastney?

Early life and background

Spencer Stastney was born on January 4, 2000, in Woodridge, Illinois, a village about 30 miles southwest of Chicago (ESPN). He grew up playing youth hockey for the Chicago Mission U16 program, winning the High Performance Hockey League Championship in the 2015-16 season (Notre Dame Athletics). Before college, he spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program, where he also represented Team USA at the 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Championship and helped secure a silver medal (Notre Dame Athletics).

He attended high school in Illinois while playing for the USNTDP, balancing academics with the demands of a national-team development schedule (Elite Prospects). The Stastney name — spelled slightly differently from the Hall of Fame Stastny family — often raises questions about a possible relation. While the surnames are similar, no direct family link between Spencer and the Stastny hockey lineage (including Peter Stastny and his sons Paul and Yan) has been established in published sources.

College career at Notre Dame

Stastney enrolled at the University of Notre Dame in 2018 and played four seasons for the Fighting Irish in the Big Ten conference. In his first season, he recorded one goal and three assists in 39 games (Notre Dame Athletics). He steadily grew his offensive output, posting a career-high five goals and seven assists in a season where he played all 29 games (Notre Dame Athletics). Those five goals were tied for the most by a Big Ten defenseman that season (Notre Dame Athletics). His best all-around season featured three goals and 17 assists for 20 points, and he was named an alternate captain for the 2021-22 campaign (Notre Dame Athletics). In 2021, he was named to the Big Ten Second All-Star Team (NHL.com). He was also selected to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team on March 23, 2021 (Notre Dame Athletics).

NHL career with Nashville and Edmonton

After four years at Notre Dame, Stastney signed with the Nashville Predators in 2022 (NHL.com). He spent time between the Predators and their AHL affiliate before establishing himself as a part-time NHL defenseman. Over his tenure with Nashville, he appeared in 89 NHL games, recording 3 goals, 15 assists, and 18 total points with 20 penalty minutes (ESPN). On December 12, 2025, the Predators traded Stastney to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft (NHL.com). The deal gave Edmonton a cost-controlled, left-shot defenseman with 89 games of NHL experience.

The pattern: Stastney’s professional trajectory mirrors that of many late-round college defensemen — gradual seasoning in the AHL, an entry-level contract that maximized development time, and a trade that offered a fresh opportunity on a contender.

Is Spencer Stastney good?

NHL performance and stats

Through his first three professional seasons, Stastney has compiled 89 NHL games with 3 goals, 15 assists, and 18 points (ESPN). His career shooting percentage and ice time suggest a defensemen who does not drive offense at the NHL level but can hold his own in a bottom-four role. The 2025-26 season saw him split time between Nashville and Edmonton after the December trade (ESPN).

College honors and achievements

• Big Ten Second All-Star Team (2021) — NHL.com
• Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2021) — Notre Dame Athletics
• Alternate captain for Notre Dame (2021-22 season) — Notre Dame Athletics
• IIHF Under-18 World Championship silver medal with Team USA (2018) — Notre Dame Athletics
• Career-high 5 goals tied for most among Big Ten defensemen in a season (Notre Dame Athletics)

Scouting report and playing style

Scouting profiles consistently describe Stastney as a smart, positionally sound defenseman with decent mobility and a reliable first pass. He is not a physical shutdown defender nor a power-play quarterback — his value lies in making the simple play, getting pucks out of the zone, and limiting high-danger chances. At 6’0″ and 190 lbs, his frame is average for an NHL defenseman, but he uses positioning and anticipation to compensate (Elite Prospects). The gap between his college production (where he posted 20 points in a season and led Big Ten defensemen in goals) and his NHL scoring (18 points in 89 games) reflects the typical jump in defensive responsibility and competition quality.

How much does Spencer Stastney make?

Current contract details

Stastney’s most recent NHL contract was a two-year deal worth $1,650,000 in total salary, carrying an annual cap hit of $825,000 (PuckPedia). The contract, signed with the Nashville Predators, expired at the end of the 2024-25 season. Because he was a restricted free agent (RFA) at expiry, the Nashville Predators held his rights until the trade to Edmonton — and Edmonton now holds those RFA rights.

Cap hit and salary history

The contract table below shows the only NHL deal Stastney has signed to date, a structure typical for late-round picks who develop through the college system.

Restricted free agent status

As of the 2025 offseason, Stastney is a restricted free agent, meaning the Edmonton Oilers have the right to match any offer sheet from another team or receive compensation if he signs elsewhere (PuckPedia). RFAs in Stastney’s position — with fewer than 100 NHL games and modest offensive numbers — typically sign either a one-year “prove it” deal near league minimum or a two-year bridge contract with a modest raise. The Oilers have cap constraints to consider as they manage a roster built around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s contracts, so Stastney’s next deal is likely to be team-friendly.

The trade-off: Stastney’s next contract will signal whether Edmonton sees him as a long-term bottom-pair fixture or a temporary depth piece. A short-term deal at $900K-$1M suggests “show us more.” Anything approaching $1.2M+ with term would indicate genuine investment.

Is Spencer Stastney injured?

Recent injury updates

As of the latest available updates from Daily Faceoff and NHL.com, no major injury has been reported for Stastney. Players in his role typically have their status updated on game days via the NHL media site and team reporters. For real-time injury and lineup information, checking Daily Faceoff or the Oilers’ official page is the most reliable approach.

Impact on playing time

Stastney’s availability will be a factor in Edmonton’s bottom-pair competition during training camp and the regular season. If healthy, he is expected to compete for a spot alongside the Oilers’ other depth defensemen. Any undisclosed or minor injury could shift his timeline for securing a regular role.

The implication: for a player at Stastney’s career stage, missing time — even a few weeks — can cost him the inside track for a roster spot. Health is as important as performance for depth defensemen.

Where is Spencer Stastney from?

Hometown and upbringing

Spencer Stastney was born and raised in Woodridge, Illinois, a village in DuPage County (ESPN). He grew up in the Chicago metropolitan area, which has produced a steady pipeline of NHL talent. His early development took place within the Illinois youth hockey system before he moved to the U.S. National Team Development Program in Michigan.

High school hockey in Illinois

Stastney attended high school in Illinois while playing for the Chicago Mission U16 program (Notre Dame Athletics). He won the High Performance Hockey League Championship with the Mission in 2015-16, a title that placed him among the top defensemen in his age group nationally (Notre Dame Athletics). That success helped him earn a spot with the USNTDP, the primary feeder program for U.S. college hockey and the NHL.

The catch: Stastney’s path remained unproven until he earned NHL ice time. Geography gave him a start, but production at Notre Dame sealed his shot.

Career timeline

• January 4, 2000 — Born in Woodridge, Illinois (ESPN)
• 2015-16 — Won High Performance Hockey League Championship with Chicago Mission U16 (Notre Dame Athletics)
• 2018 — Drafted 131st overall by Nashville Predators; helped Team USA win silver at IIHF U18 World Championship (ESPN; Notre Dame Athletics)
• 2018-2022 — Played four seasons at University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame Athletics)
• 2021 — Named to Big Ten Second All-Star Team and Big Ten All-Tournament Team (NHL.com; Notre Dame Athletics)
• 2022 — Signed with Nashville Predators as a free agent (NHL.com)
• 2025 (Dec 12) — Traded to Edmonton Oilers for a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft (NHL.com)

The progression: Each step — USNTDP, Notre Dame, Nashville, Edmonton — built on the last. Late-round picks rarely get four years of college development then a trade to a contender.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Spencer Stastney was born January 4, 2000 in Woodridge, Illinois (ESPN)
• He played college hockey at the University of Notre Dame from 2018-2022 (Notre Dame Athletics)
• He signed with Nashville Predators in 2022 (NHL.com)
• He was traded to Edmonton on December 12, 2025 (NHL.com)

What remains unclear

• Exact current injury status — check Daily Faceoff or NHL.com for the latest game-day updates
• Future contract details as a restricted free agent — PuckPedia notes his RFA status but no terms have been reported
• Whether he is related to the Stastny hockey family — no published source confirms a direct relationship
• His last contract value ($1.65M total, $825K cap hit) and whether the Oilers extend a similar or higher offer
• NHL career totals (89 games, 3 goals, 15 assists, 18 points) — these shift as he plays more games

Quotes and perspectives

“Traded to Edmonton by Nashville for a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft on December 12, 2025.”

— NHL.com (Official league player page)

“Stastney was named an alternate captain for the 2021-22 season [at Notre Dame].”

— Notre Dame Athletics (University of Notre Dame official roster)

“His five goals were tied for the most by a Big Ten defenseman that season.”

— Notre Dame Athletics (University of Notre Dame official roster)

“Stastney is a restricted free agent.”

— PuckPedia (NHL salary and contract database)

Summary

Spencer Stastney’s path from a fifth-round draft pick out of Woodridge, Illinois, to the Edmonton Oilers’ blue line is a story of patient development rather than overnight success. Four seasons at Notre Dame, a professional apprenticeship with Nashville, and a December 2025 trade later, he is now a depth defenseman on a Stanley Cup contender. His NHL production — 18 points in 89 games — is modest, but his college track record and positionally sound style give Edmonton a cost-controlled option for a bottom-pair role. For the Oilers front office, the choice is straightforward: offer Stastney a short-term RFA deal to prove he can handle a regular shift, or let him test the market. Either way, the 25-year-old has already beaten the odds that come with a fifth-round slot.

For a deeper look at Spencer Stastneys trade and salary details, including the three-team trade that sent him to Edmonton, check the latest updates.

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