Stafford, 31, split the 2016-17 season between Winnipeg and Boston, after he was traded to the Bruins by the Jets on March 1, 2017 for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. He totaled eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points overall with 24 penalty minutes and a +6 rating in 58 total games last season. The Milwaukee, WI, native added two goals with the Bruins in six 2017 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The 6-2, 215lb. forward spent the first eight seasons of his NHL career with Buffalo (2006-07 through 2014-15). Stafford was traded to Winnipeg from Buffalo on February 11, 2015. A veteran of 725 regular-season NHL games, Stafford has totaled 183 goals and 217 assists for 400 points with 387 penalty minutes. He has six goals and five assists for 11 points in 30 Stanley Cup Playoff contests. The right-handed forward attended University of North Dakota (WCHA) from 2003-06 where he was teammates with Devils' center Travis Zajac (2004-06) and helped lead North Dakota to a WCHA Championship in 2006. Born on October, 30, 1985, he was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2004 NHL Draft.