17 season NHL veteran refuses to sign professional tryout, only willing to sign guaranteed deal

Early this summer reports suggested Paul Stastny was leaning towards retirement. However, that is no longer the case. Instead Stastny is looking to play this coming season, but only on one condition.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Stastny is only seeking a guaranteed deal with an NHL team and won't sign a professional tryout contract.

Friedman added that the 37-year-old doesn't feel he has to prove his worth to a team. Instead Stastny wants a team to give him a guaranteed spot. In 1,145 career games with the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes, Stastny has 822 points (293 goals, 529 assists), 500 penalty minutes and is a plus-54. He's also contributed 73 points in 118 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

It will be interesting to see if a team is willing to come Stastny's way in the coming weeks. It is likely Stastny will be forced to take a team friendly league minimum deal.

Do you think Paul Stastny will be in the National Hockey League this season? Let us know your thoughts in the poll below.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

Mike Babcock issues first comment but he accepts no responsibility

Seth Jones putting the Blackhawks in an awkward position before training camp

Columbus Blue Jackets name Mike Babcock's replacement

POLL
17 SEPTEMBRE \| 1527 ANSWERS 17 season NHL veteran refuses to sign professional tryout, only willing to sign guaranteed deal Will Paul Stastny be playing in the NHL this season?
Yes	887	58.1 %
No	640	41.9 %
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