Arizona Coyotes: Lee Stempniak Should Be Signed
The Arizona Coyotes Could Use Stempniak’s Scoring Prowess
I’ve been noticing all the remaining free agents who are still available, and Lee Stempniak is still out there. He used to play for the Arizona (then Phoenix) Coyotes during the 2009-10, and 2010-11 successful seasons. He managed 33 goals, and 23 assists in 100 games, and is still a serviceable right wing who could help the Arizona Coyotes weak offense.
You always can use a veteran like him to guide the younger players, and Stempniak is 32 with ten NHL seasons under his belt. His salary is a reasonable $0.90 million, and even if you signed him for one season, it would fortify the front line.
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Last year with the Winnipeg Jets he had 15g, 13a, in 71 games. His shooting percentage was an above average 13%, along with 78 hits and 23 blocks. I know he would fit right into the Arizona Coyotes system, since he played here before, and knows what Head Coach Dave Tippett expects.
I know there needs to be some available roster spots for the young guns — Domi, Duclair, Dvorak, and Perlini, but Stempniak would have been a much better choice for just a bit more money than the Arizona Coyotes paid John Scott ($575,000). Scott can’t score, in fact I’m not sure what his purpose will be on the team.
Using a valuable roster spot for a token big, tough guy serves no real purpose, when winning games is your goal. John Scott WILL NOT win any games for you.
He’s there for one purpose, as is Steve Downie — to protect smaller guys in the lineup. If he plays seven to eight minutes a game, those are valuable minutes which could be used by other players who can contribute.
I could see a line of Rieder (LW), Vitale (C), Stempniak (RW) working really well. Vitale is the hustler who will go into the corners and get the puck for Reider and Stempniak. The line has speed in Rieder, tenacity in Vitale, and veteran scoring punch in Stempniak.
I do recall the time he played here that he managed to score some timely goals. He’s a clutch player, and would be a good addition to the team.
Are you listening, GM Don Maloney? I don’t have his cell number, but if I did I’d pass it on to you.
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