NHL Rumors: Isles parting ways with Zdeno Chara, Canes sign Paul Stastny
Anthony Scultore
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Today’s NHL Rumors takes a look at aging veterans that can still help some hockey teams in 2022-23.
Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene patrolled the blue-line out on Long Island last season but are looking for new homes.
Meanwhile, Paul Stastny will take his playmaking skills to Carolina to help fill a hole left by Vincent Trocheck signing with the New York Rangers.
NHL Rumors: Zdeno Chara
The New York Islanders don’t have any plans to bring back veteran defensemen Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene for next season.
General manager Lou Lamoriello stated on Monday that there have been no discussions with either of them. He also added that there isn’t a fit with the defense basically set after signing Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov.
According to CapFriendly, the Islanders have $2.3 million in cap space. They could use a 7th defenseman, and it’s likely they’ll give 2017 second-round pick Robin Salo a chance to compete for a spot on the team.
Chara, 45, registered 14 points in 72 games for the Isles during the 2021-22 campaign. The ageless wonder is expected to make a decision next month regarding his future per his agent, Matt Keator.
“He’s going to take the summer with his family and assess where he’s at physically, where his family’s at, and make a decision in September,” Keator told the Boston Globe. “No rush.”
via Sportsnet
Greene, 39, notched 10 points in 69 games last season and is a prime candidate to sign a PTO.
NHL Rumors: Hurricanes ink Paul Stastny
The Carolina Hurricanes signed veteran forward Paul Stastny to a one-year, $1.5 million contract on Tuesday.
Stastny, 36, tallied 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 71 games with the Winnipeg Jets in 2021-22.
“Paul is an extremely reliable veteran who has been effective at both ends of the ice for his entire career,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said. “He adds even more experience and leadership to our forward group, and we are excited to have him in Carolina.”
Stastny has registered at least 40 points in 12 of his 16 NHL seasons.
He has 800 points (284 goals, 516 assists) in 1,072 games with the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights and Jets. Colorado drafted him in the second round in 2005.
“It’s the chance to win,” Stastny told reporters. “There’s a good mix of younger players coming into their own, veterans and a coach that understands how to win.”
–Field Level Media contributed to this article