Forward Paul Stastny will not be returning to the Winnipeg Jets.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reported the Vegas Golden Knights are the frontrunners to land the veteran centre's services while Darren Dreger added the Jets learned late Saturday night that Stastny was leaning in a different direction.

In 82 games last season, Stastny had 16 goals and 37 assists. The 32-year-old was dealt from the St. Louis Blues to the Jets at the trade deadline in exchange for forward Erik Foley, a conditional first-round pick in 2018 and a fourth-rounder in 2020. Stastny recorded 13 points in 19 games after being acquired by the Jets.

Stastny spent most of four seasons with the Blues, helping them to a string of playoff appearances including a conference final appearance in 2015-16.  

He was coming off a four-year, $28 million deal that carried a cap hit of $7 million per season.

The 32-year-old was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round (No. 44 overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He spent his first eight seasons with the Avs before signing with the Blues in 2014.