Stafford remains unsigned as of this writing, and there's a good chance things will stay that way. He turns 34 in October and doesn't seem to have much left in the tank after totaling 28 points and a minus-27 rating in 116 appearances with the Devils over the past two seasons. If Stafford's NHL career is over, he'll hang up the skates with 428 points in 841 games spread between the Sabres, Jets, Bruins and Devils.
The 12-year NHL veteran often looked overmatched with the Devils last season, ultimately finishing with 15 points and a team-worst minus-20 rating in 59 appearances. He is back in New Jersey after signing a PTO in early September, but it'll take Yeoman's work for him to garner a full-season deal. If this is the end for Stafford, he'd finish with 191 goals and 415 points in 781 career appearances between the Sabres, Jets, Bruins and Devils.
After fizzling out in Winnipeg, Stafford notched four goals and eight points in 18 games with the Bruins following his acquisition at the trade deadline. While Boston is headed in a different direction with a group of young forwards on the way, the winger was able to land a contract with New Jersey. The Wisconsin native should be considered a high-risk, high-reward fantasy option at this point in his career, as he could fail to break the 20-point threshold, but is also capable of a 20-goal season -- which version of Stafford the Devils are getting remains to be seen.
In his first full year with the Jets, Stafford put up a respectable 21 goals, 17 assists and 187 shots on goal, but took a hit with an unappealing minus-23 rating. In three of the past four campaigns, the winger has been tainted with an awful rating, but consistently plays around with 20-goal seasons, while doing his part creating for the offense. The 30-year-old is glued into the top six, but won’t see duty on the first line with star Blake Wheeler still staking his claim. Not to worry, as Stafford should do just fine with Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine, leading to another solid campaign with Winnipeg as long as he can stay healthy.
Stafford proved to be a valuable offensive contributor for the Jets after joining the team via trade from Buffalo in February. He managed to tally an impressive 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 26 games with Winnipeg, and that performance earned him a two-year, $8.7 million contract with the Jets in June. His somewhat disappointing numbers prior to the 2014-15 season can largely be attributed to the fact that the Sabres have been one of the league's worst teams in recent years, and now that he’s surrounded by improved talent, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the former first-round pick enjoyed one of his best statistical seasons as a pro in 2015-16. Health is a bit of a concern with Stafford, as he has missed a total of 22 games over the past four seasons due to injury. However, because he will likely return to a second- or third-line role with the Jets, he should offer solid value in this year's fantasy drafts.
One of the league’s most mercurial goal scorers, Stafford redeemed himself slightly with a 16-goal campaign in 2013-14, after scoring just six goals in 46 games in the previous season. Since signing a $16 million extension with the Sabres, Stafford’s production has been disappointing, and over the past two years, he’s posted a combined minus-35 rating. Time is running out for Stafford, who enters the last year of his contract. Should the Sabres feel that Stafford has no future with the club, it is very possible he becomes trade bait to help aid the rebuilding process.
Last season was a total nightmare for Stafford, as he failed to get off the ground at all following the lockout. He struggled to 18 points in 46 games and posted a team-worst minus-16 rating. Speculative owners should note that he’s notoriously a second-half player, but wasn’t afforded that luxury in a shortened season. He entered last season coming off consecutive 50-point seasons, and is much too talented to have a repeat of last season’s debacle. There will be ebbs and flows, but Stafford should approach the 50-point mark once again in a full season.
Like many of his teammates, Stafford waited until it was too late to turn on the jets last season, but his post All-Star break pace (27 points in 32 games) and chemistry with Tyler Ennis provides high expectations for '12-13. Buyer beware, his breakout 31-goal campaign in '10-11 was also the product of a few hot streaks, so he will likely continue to run hot and cold. Another 50-point season is a reasonable expectation for Stafford in '12-13.
The Sabres locked up Stafford to a a four-year contract before he could even test free agency, and a lot is expected of the North Dakota alum after taking a big step up offensively last year. The winger more than doubled his goal output from the previous season, and 30 goals and 20 to 25 assists is more than reasonable to ask of Stafford in 2011-12.
A lot was expected of Stafford coming into 2009-10, and he was a major disappointment. Stafford's 14 goals and 20 assists were not enough for a guy who came into the year tabbed as a guy to take the next step forward. He's still only 24, and now with the pressure off and expectations lowered, Stafford could break out, or maybe this is just what he is -- a 40-point player who holds down the right wing on the third or fourth line.
Stafford's numbers have steadily been increasing over the past few years. Last season he notched 20 goals and 25 assists compared to his 16 goals and 22 assists the season prior. Despite his good numbers, Stafford has the potential to do a lot better. At 23, he has time to mature as a player and could be among the Sabres' elite forwards.�@
Stafford didn’t rise as quickly as the Sabres hoped in 2007-08, however, he will get another chance in 2008-09. He offers a compelling mix of skill and grit. Stafford notched 38 points (16G, 22A) in 64 games last season as a 22-year-old. Because the Sabres’ top three lines are filled with inconsistent and aging players, Stafford has a lot of upside and it helps that he already has 105 regular-season NHL games under his belt.
Stafford was one of several Buffalo prospects that received a chance to play in 2006-07 because of a nasty wave of injuries that felled key players. Stafford asserted himself as the Sabres� best prospect and is in line for a full-time role in 2007-08, probably on the second or third line. There�s a good chance that he will significantly exceed his 2006-07 total of 27 points (13G, 14A) in 41 games and Stafford could win a power-play role as well.
Stafford will likely spend much, if not all, of this year in the minors getting some experience. He's got a ton of potential, so keep your eye on this guy. Stafford was one of the younger selections to the U.S. men's national team for the 2006 International Ice Hockey Championships. Stafford projects to be a first- or second-line forward in a few years, and has good ability in short-handed situations.
Chosen as Buffalo's first-round pick (13th overall), Stafford was ranked as the seventh-best North American skater heading into the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He's big (6'2", 202lbs) and strong, and he never takes a shift off. He's probably destined for second line duty in the NHL, but he also learned to play the grinder role when he played for Team USA at the 2003-04 World Junior Championships in Helsinki. His upside is top line, but if that doesn't pan out he has enough skills to become a serviceable NHL forward deeper down.
Chosen as Buffalo's first-round pick (13th overall), Stafford was ranked as the seventh-best North American skater heading into the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He's big (6'2", 202lbs) and strong, and he never takes a shift off. He's probably destined for second line duty in the NHL, but he also learned to play the grinder role when he played for Team USA at the 2003-04 World Junior Championships in Helsinki. His upside is top line, but if that doesn't pan out he has enough skills to become a serviceable NHL forward deeper down.
