Stafford looking forward to playoff hunt with Jets

By: Ed Tait Posted: 4:24 PM CST Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015

Drew Stafford is getting a change of scenery. And the playoff push he’ll get as one of the newest members of the Winnipeg Jets will be like a breath of crisp, fresh air.

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Drew Stafford is getting a change of scenery. And the playoff push he’ll get as one of the newest members of the Winnipeg Jets will be like a breath of crisp, fresh air.

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This article was published 11/02/2015 (3928 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Drew Stafford is getting a change of scenery. And the playoff push he’ll get as one of the newest members of the Winnipeg Jets will be like a breath of crisp, fresh air.

“That’s definitely something I’m really excited about,” said the 29-year-old winger today in an interview with Sportsnet. “Everyone know how it’s been going here in Buffalo lately. It’s been extremely frustrating and challenging. Not making the playoffs year after year is extremely tough, especially since I’ve been here so long that I’ve been a part of a President’s Trophy team and part of a 30th place team. So I know what it’s like to be in the playoffs and what it feels like in taking a run at it.

“To get that chance to finish off the year here and then do my best to compete for these guys and help them win games.”

Kevin Hoffman / USA Today files
Drew Stafford celebrates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in November at First Niagara Center. — Kevin Hoffman / USA Today files Drew Stafford celebrates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in November at First Niagara Center.

Stafford, 29, is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He said he’ll concentrate on the playoff push before even thinking about his options.

“I’m first and foremost looking forward to joining a team in the playoff hunt because that’s something I haven’t had a taste of in a few years in Buffalo,” he said. “I’m excited to help this team win, compete for them and be a part of that.

“Anything beyond that will take care of itself.”

Stafford said he found out about the deal this morning.

“It’s part of the business,” he said. “I’ve been around long enough to see what goes down usually. It’s obviously kind of a surprise (it happened) this early, but you knew something was going to go down. Everyone had their phones out this morning, checking Twitter stuff and all that. Thankfully, (Sabres GM) Tim Murray came down and talked to me and let me know before everything broke out on the Twitter, blog-o-sphere, whatever you call it. It was good to find out that way.”