Paul Stastny to St. Louis Blues

Karl Gehring-Denver Post

July 1, 2014 NHL free agency is just around the corner, and trade winds are whirling. Paul Stastny of the Colorado Avalanche is one of the most coveted players expected to test the free agency waters. He is coming off a $6.6 million per season contract.

The 28 year old center has spent all if his 8 seasons with the Avalanche. GM Greg Sherman is hoping he will take a pay cut in the neighborhood of $5-6 million. He can easily get $7 million on the open market because he scored 60 points in 71 games last season and there are few quality centers entering free agency. Sherman has a tough decision to make because another coveted Avalanche center, Ryan O'Reilly, is headed to salary arbitration as a restricted free agent.

As an unrestricted free agent, Stastny is going to join the Blues. He went to school in St. Louis as a child and has played with Kevin Shattenkirk, TJ Oshie and David Backes on the USA Olympian team. He would get to play for a Stanley Cup contender, get first line duties and get the $7 million per season contract he desires. The St. Louis Blues have the cap space for Paul Stastny if they do not resign goalie Ryan Miller.