Could Stempniak be heading to Thrasherville?
Craig Custance informed us recently that Thrashers GM Rick Dudley has “touched base” with the agent of Lee Stempniak. The 27-year right wing is still an unsigned UFA who is coming off a three-year contract that paid a total old $7.5 million.
So, is this a “where there is smoke, there is fire” situation? I mean, why would Dudley & Co. let something like this leak out if there wasn’t not any “there” there? And certainly general managers “touch base” with agents all the time…right?
Lee Stempniak, seen here in action against the Nashville Predators, scored 28 goals last season (AP/Frederick Breedon)
Adding some fuel to the flames of speculation is that the Thrashers are looking to replace the two-dozen or so goals that boarded a plane with with Maxim Afinogenov and flew off to Russia. So, it reasons that the 6’-0” 190 lb Stempniak could conceivably fill such a void.
Between Toronto and Phoenix last season he amassed 28 goals and 30 assists during a total of 80 games played. He had an EVEN +/- rating…-10 in 62 games with the Maple Leafs, +10 during 18 games played with the Coyotes. The season before that he had 14 goals, 30 assists and was a –12 while splitting time with the Leafs and St. Louis Blues.
Stempniak grew up in western New York, graduating from St. Francis High School in 2001. His parents insisted he attend college, so he went to Dartmouth where he majored in economics while playing hockey. In his four seasons with the Big Green he scored 63 goals and 88 assists in 135 ECAC games played.
In the summer of 2003 he was drafted 148th overall by the St. Louis Blues.
After four years of college hockey, Stempniak joined the Blues for the 2005-06 season. He was sent down to the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL around New Years, but returned to St. Louis a month later after the Blues traded away Doug Weight and Mike Sillanger. In his first game back, he scored the tying goal during regulation then the game-winning shootout goal in a 3-2 win over Calgary. He played in a total of 57 NHL games that year, scoring 14 goals and 27 assists.
The next season Stempniak played in all 82 games for St. Louis. That year he led the Blues with 27 goals while playing on a line with David Backes and Jay McClement.
Would you like to see Lee Stempniak signed by the Thrashers?
- Yes - Do it now! (81%, 185 Votes)
- No - We can do better (10%, 23 Votes)
- Feh...the roster is fine the way is (9%, 20 Votes)
Total Voters: 228
Loading ...In November of 2008 the Blues dealt Stempniak to Toronto in exchange for Alexander Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo. He played there for remainder of that season and into last year’s campaign, plying in 123 games for the Leafs, scoring 25 goals and 36 assists. He was traded by Toronto to Phoenix on March 3 of this year for Matt Jones and a pair of draft picks.
Stempniak didn’t exactly wander aimlessly in the desert, though, as he netted 14 goals and 4 assists. He earned NHL player of the month honors for the month of March. And last April he experienced the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in his career while with the Coyotes. He had 2 assists in the seven game series loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
For his career, he has 96 goals, 113 assists and is a –24 in 374 NHL games.
What would it cost to acquire Stempniak? As stated above, he is coming off a three-year $7.5 million. Last season he earned $3.5 mil, the season before that his salary was $2.5 mil and $1.5 mil in the first year of the contract.
According to CapGeek.com, the Thrashers are still about $20 million under the cap. So even if he commands similar compensation, Atlanta has more than enough room, (DUH5).
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227 comments Add your comment
glovesave29
August 26th, 2010
9:04 am
Ugh…Donald Fehr accepted the job to lead the NHLPA. Lockout – here we come!
Red Light
August 26th, 2010
9:09 am
Dwayne, World et al
In recent years, outside of Thorburn, Boulton and the occasional roaming out of position hit on a small opposing player by Exelby, the Thrashers forwards for the most part were pansies. To no fault of their own, it simply wasn’t their game. Now, you have a forward unit that includes guys who are willing to lay the lumber frequently. As World Be Free so aptly said, guys on the other teams are going to have to have their head on a swivel, and that helps take them off their game to do what they do best.
It is a much more imposing unit and while the rules these days have a tendency to protect players, there still is that threat that they’re going to be run, and run hard. That’s why I advocate having a guy like Ladd playing with Antro and Bergfors. A guy like Byfguglien playing with Pevs and Little. You do that, and other teams can’t focus on disrupting the more talented guys and that provides more space for them. Kane is so multi-faceted that you can play him in several roles, despite his youth, because he’ll hit you, blow by you and go to the net. In contrast, you also can throw Eager, Kane and Byfuglien out on the same line from time to time, forecheck, bang and disrupt the opponents offensive flow. As time passes, and Burmistrov finds his place on the roster, I’d love to see him playing with Kane, Bergfors or Little. If speed kills, that line should be able to do some damage.
With one more top-6 forward, Ramsay will have plenty of options with lines, and that makes this team much more dangerous than it has ever been. But, I still think it will take the acquisition of one more playmaker until Burmistrov is truly ready. Despite that fact, the new era of a rough and tumble pack of forwards is now upon us, and if nothing else, that spirited play should get our adrenaline flowing more so that at any time during the past decade.
Sage of Bluesland
August 26th, 2010
9:41 am
“…D-wad was not a “wheel and deal” type so lets see what Dudley does….”
Sure he was. You must not remember his first NHL draft as our fearless leader? Teams–and real GMs–were falling all over themselves in offering our little fraud of a GM all types of low draft picks to keep us from raiding their roster in the expansion draft.
Based on his comments at the time, our blustering little idiot of a GM felt like the “belle of the ball”! Too bad all he had, at the end of the day, was a bag of magic beans. That’s all these ‘extra’ picks were worth in the hands of he and his staff….
The blustering clown noted the next year at not having as much activity in the trading department…Ya’ think?! After all they gave you was the SCRAPS off of their tables, they were done with dealing with you! Donny still probably doesn’t think he was used-and-abused…This was when Donny used to talk to the media much more–before he realized how constantly he sticks his oafish foot in his big mouth!
Just as with the clown who thought the Braves’ turnaround beginning in the mid- to late-80s was due to “good drafting” and a few “lucky breaks”…Nope, it was ALL due to ownership. Ownership commited to winning.
We don’t have that. Period. Stop the fantasy, please.
Long-term prediction: three or four years from now, Don Waddell will be back as GM of this forlorn franchise.
Nothing like the combination of longevity and incompetence….and there will be a new ‘wave’ of sheep to educate unwillingly…Oh well, I’ve done it before–I’ll do it again….
(I just wish I had a spweadsheet to keep track of these timeless posts, posters, and posers…)
Oh, and I think ‘Flames’ is nothing more than a closet-Waddellite….Blustering sunshine with little substance…I’m still analyzing–but have some serious doubts…
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
9:50 am
I haven’t chimed in on Stempniak save for the poll. I see I’m one of 17 or 18 people who don’t really want Lee S coming to ATL via UFA contract. I don’t think his style of play fits in with what Dudley is trying to build. Now I understand he has decent hands and provides a good level of skill for the PP, but I think we need to give our young guys the ice time to help them grow into their expanded roles as players who are counted on for more offensive production.
I would actually prefer that we wait longer and perhaps even consider an offer sheet for either Peter Mueller (we need a bona fide top 6 C so we can move Antropov back to the wing IMO) or James Neal just because I like how he plays and Dallas may not have the money to match right now. If we decide to wait and see what happens with some of the salary cap-strapped teams, then Bergeron in BOS would be a very nice target.
Oh yeah, thank you again oh sagacious Sage of Contumely (copyright Shakespeare)…you are such a breath of polluted air. Don’t know how I would function without your perspicacious insights and courage in your hatred of Don Waddell.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
9:51 am
Whooopsie! Oh Trixie my dearest Trixie! I’m stuck in the Sagebrush residue that is dripping from the blog filter…please release me!
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
9:55 am
R/L – great post at 9:09 am sir! Could not agree more.
Too bad Sage had to go and piss right into my cornflakes after that.
kracker
August 26th, 2010
10:02 am
That is what Sage does best….or at all. Baaaa!
glovesave29
August 26th, 2010
10:03 am
RL – good call. Duds is setting us up as an old school team. Big and tough up the middle and have playmakers on the wings. I will look forward to the D pairings to see if Rammer REALLY goes back in times and plays a defensive minded bruiser next to a more offensively minded D who can move the transition game.
Ah Sage…must be in a bad mood as his mom must have rejected his oedipal overtures!
World Be Free
August 26th, 2010
10:05 am
Sage-sorry but I just skip over your posts when I see them, nothing personal. Give us something new to disgust, stop trying to be the Nostradamus of hockey.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
10:20 am
g/s29 – OMG! “Oedipal overtures”!! That is supremely sublime. First reference to Oedipus I’ve seen since 1998 I think. May I have permission to borrow that at some point for my blog??
WBF – right on brother, but sometimes reading his trip is good for a laugh or if you just want to elevate your blood pressure for no good reason. It’s nice to have someone onto whom I can direct my ire. No use in directing it at Don Waddell cuz he ain’t in charge!! LOL
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
10:21 am
*tripe
But if you didn’t know I was talking about Sage’s tripe, then you probably haven’t been paying close attention!
Red Light
August 26th, 2010
10:21 am
TY Smoothie, GS29
“Nostradamus of hockey”
I thought R.Stroz was our resident seer.
SomaAtl95
August 26th, 2010
10:27 am
Sorry Sage, forgot to mention I have “Seeple Pride” since you chose to retort against me again.
baaahhhhhhh, BBaaaahhhhhhhhhh, BBBAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!
and to think I was sticking up for you on C-vivs blog yesterday… sigh…
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
10:30 am
If we as fans are “sheeple”, then Sage must be the Don Quixote of protestation…he doth tilt at windmills in his verbal “jihad” of the ASG and Don Waddell. Tell us something we don’t know for once!
kracker
August 26th, 2010
10:33 am
“Nostradamus of hockey” – Isn’t that title already taken by Eklund. Besides, Sage already has his title – “Sheeper of Blueland”
GaVaHokie
August 26th, 2010
10:36 am
Teams–and real GMs–were falling all over themselves in offering our little fraud of a GM all types of low draft picks to keep us from raiding their roster in the expansion draft.
Kind of hard to “raid rosters” when the budget was $16 million.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_team_payrolls_in_the_NHL
The “Five Year Plan” to slowly build through the draft was GM speak for, “We’re building through the draft because ownership won’t spend money on free agents.”
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
10:43 am
Thanks be to the administrative wizard known as Ms. Trixie for releasing my post from blog-atory!!
DWTOO
August 26th, 2010
10:45 am
If we’re the sheep is Sage the Shepard? Or worse?
After reading the various synopis(s)of the team and the opinions of the Power Play guys on XM this should be a hard hitting team, hopefully reminiscent of the Flames. This should be in line with the team that Tim E. described (what the early Thrashers should have looked like) one sunday afternoon to a group that gathered at TJ’s as several of us will recall. That team never came to pass, but, think we have it now. We’re probably borderline playoffs, but, at least we should three periods of exciting hockey – not two periods of going thru the motions and one period of frantic play.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
10:48 am
GVH – no to mention Hokie the ownership was completely different in those first 4 years. It’s just a shame that the ASG had to go and wasted $120 M on JJ after years of court wrangling with Belkin over the decision to bring in JJ to begin with. In this economic climate, I just don’t know who is going to feel comfortable investing in a hockey team right now, which is bad news for the Stars, Carolina and of course, us.
But dontcha’ just love how Sage takes credit for the decline in season tkts when the economy for the last 2 years has been almost as bad as it was when Woodrow Wilson was president?? Yeah, Waddell made his share of mistakes since the 2007 season, but I personally feel as though the Hossa situation coupled with the collapse of the economy had as much to do (if not more) with this team’s recent slumping over the last 2 years. Had Hossa been more committed to staying here, there’s no telling what might have happened with not only Kovy, but perhaps the direction of the team.
J-man
August 26th, 2010
10:57 am
If you want Stempniak, then who do you drop to the 3rd line to make room for him? Because I’m not seeing the logic in signing him to be a 3rd liner.
Antropov? No way.
Bergfors? Again – no way.
Byfuglien? Isn’t he supposed to be the power forward we have always wanted?
Little – Maybe, but say goodbye to any chance at a productive season.
Kane – Really, another year on the 3rd line? I’m not seeing it.
Ladd – Well, I guess that would be one way to ensure him not wanting to stay here after his contract runs out in the summer of 2011.
Peverley – Are we already looking to make him a 3rd line grinder?
So that’s 7 guys who are all potential top 6 forwards. One guy in my list won’t be a top 6 forward already, so I’m not seeing how adding a high risk, very inconsistent forward to the mix to push yet another guy down to the 3rd line makes the team better.
Sage of Bluesland
August 26th, 2010
10:58 am
“…Yeah, Waddell made his share of mistakes since the 2007 season, but I personally feel as though the Hossa situation coupled with the collapse of the economy had as much to do (if not more) with this team’s recent slumping over the last 2 years….”
Oh my goodness. This is comedy-gold right here, folks. Where to start…where to start…
Sometimes silence is better–as the ridiculousness is apparent for all to see.
Wow.
(Oh, and I wouldn’t say that I “take credit” for the decline in sales–another ridiculous stretch…I encourage–and will continue to encourage folks to not subsidize incompetence, but I think people are smarter than to listen to the organization–and your–buffoonish sunshine…Nope, this isn’t a ‘me’ thing at all–it’s a collective decision which is the correct one!)
GaVaHokie
August 26th, 2010
11:02 am
Smoothie… you can find any reason to support the way you feel… hell, I’m going to blame it on the beer prices.
There’s nothing Sage says that doesn’t have a counter argument… there’s nothing you and I say that doesn’t have a counter argument. It’s just mindless banter. Much easier to just discuss what you like and don’t like about the current team.
So… on the topic of Captaincy… I would normally say Antropov is a prime candidate, but besides being a good presence in the locker room and on the ice, you have to be a good ambassador to the local media and get fans pumped up. And for that, I’ll go with Ron Hainsey.
Antropov is kind of weak in that regard…
http://thrashers.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=656&id=74604
kracker
August 26th, 2010
11:06 am
Guerin not returning to Pens. Any interest??
Tweet – BenThrashers What do you think Thrashers fans- hypothetically speaking could Bill Guerin add something to a very young ATL lineup?
Red Light
August 26th, 2010
11:06 am
GaVaHokie:
Leaders don’t have to be media spokespeople. In fact, I would say Hainsey’s zeal for the microphone plays against him as a captain candidate.
GaVaHokie
August 26th, 2010
11:07 am
J-man… I think you roll three solid lines… Line 2 and 3 get swapped based on the game and what’s “clicking” that night.
Kane Antro Bergs
Little Pevs Stempie
Ladd Cormier Byfuglien
Eager Slater Boults/Thorsy
GaVaHokie
August 26th, 2010
11:09 am
Red Light… Scott Mellanby was great at both locker room and media. Same with Ferraro.
While Hainsey ain’t perfect, he’s the closest I see on the current roster.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
11:10 am
Moving Little to the 3rd line with Slater and Ladd might not be a bad way to get him jump-started this season. Along with PP time. That is if he isn’t reunited with Antro & Bergie with whom he gelled nicely.
Ladd & Little have enough skill to be a real pain in the arse for other teams’ less skilled and slower 3rd lines. Obviously match-ups would dictate that they play a lot against other team’s 1st lines, especially on the road, but a trio of Slates, Lits & Ladd would certainly have some good counter-punch. I don’t reckon a lot of 1st lines will enjoy playing against Slater & Ladd who are not afraid to throw the body. And Little is one of the best back-checking terrors we have.
That way we can set up Kaner to be successful with Big Buf out there to protect him. I like the fact that Pevs and Kaner showed some good chemistry at the Worlds and I think throwing Buf into the mix could make our 2nd line scary good. But that means we would need a center for the top line. Enter Peter Mueller.
Send an offer sheet his way and set this team up for the future with Mueller and Burmistrov the two centers of the future. We’re stocked with prospects on D and with Kaner, Lits, Bergie, Buff and Pevs still relatively young, we would be set for years in our Top 6 even if Antropov’s hip causes him to fade quicker than hoped (not that I think that will happen), but in 3 years our Top 9 could consist of the following: Kaner-Burmie-Antro // Bergy-Mueller-Buff/Lits // Laddy-Lits-Klingy/Buff…or something like that.
Red Light
August 26th, 2010
11:14 am
Ferraro and Mellanby were good with the media, but they reluctantly participated, didn’t seek it until late in their careers when they had to think about life off the ice.
Sage of Bluesland
August 26th, 2010
11:17 am
“Smoothie… you can find any reason to support the way you feel… hell, I’m going to blame it on the beer prices….”
(That’s a ‘nice’ way of saying, from one compadre-in-thought to another, stop saying ridiculous things…comedy-gold, folks!)
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
11:18 am
Sage must be a radical LW Democrat because he doesn’t actually counter-argue, he just pokes fun at people for having a different opinion. He might as well be Al Gore taking credit for being the beacon of reason and wisdom that he really isn’t.
Hokie – like you said, there are arguments and counter-args for everything. But my bigger point is that it’s never as simple as it may seem and there are always layers and layers of complexity when it comes to running a business, especially a sports team when the assets are so unpredictable. Sage thinks he has it all figured out, but he doesn’t.
glovesave29
August 26th, 2010
11:31 am
“Sometimes silence is better–as the ridiculousness is apparent for all to see”
Really Sage – how about taking your own advice?
JUST KIDDING SAGE
August 26th, 2010
11:31 am
Funny Smoothie, but I see Sage as more of a radical member of some Militia group waiting for a Muslim invasion and a cellar stocked with canned food items and a cache of automatic weapons!
World Be Free
August 26th, 2010
11:57 am
J-Man right on, who driops down and you are not going to pay a 3rd liner the kind of money it will take to get Stempniak here.
kracker-talked about Guerin the other day, I would take him anyday.
No question
GaVa-the team (and the game for that matter) is missing guys like Mellanby and Ray, good in both the room and with the media. Maybe Hainsey can be the guy or Pevs. Can’t be Jimmy, he’s not a heart of the team player. Bogo maybe in 2 years.
kracker
August 26th, 2010
11:57 am
“…..and a cellar stocked with canned food items…..” – SPAM!!
World Be Free
August 26th, 2010
12:06 pm
Call me crazy or just a little nuts-but here is another player that is available that would bring all of the winning intangibles to the Thrashers- Jere Lehtinen why?
One of the best 2 way players of the past decade, near the end of the line in his career. Can you think of a better on-ice coach for the young students we have coming up? A tutor for players like Little and Bergfors? A player who played alot like Craig Ramsay during his career? Think about it, it probably will not happen, but…..
Alan R.
August 26th, 2010
12:07 pm
I see Sage more as a member of counterintelligence, because he’s always here, trying to counter intelligence.
kracker
August 26th, 2010
12:09 pm
Dids wanted his veteran leader. Guerin or Lehtinen would fit that. Can we work them in??
World Be Free
August 26th, 2010
12:15 pm
alan R-I was think similar, but in his case it’s lack of intelligence.
World Be Free
August 26th, 2010
12:25 pm
kracker-two guys with winning attitudes that can bring intangibles to our team. Ray Ferrero was much the same, Mellanby too. Natural leaders, especially when it is clear that this team is missing a true leader. When the captain is not obvious, you have a problem and I think Dudley knows that.
Grit, leadership, toughness, guys you can count on when you are protecting a one goal lead-Lee Stempniak does not posses any of these traits.
rob
August 26th, 2010
12:26 pm
Sage is a Hawks/basketball fan. Mad at the fact the owners can’t spend all of their money on B-ball. Probably has spreadsheets plastered all over his moms basement showing how much money hockey takes away from the Hawks. And with his infatuation of sheep I believe he must have faux sheepskin seat covers in his moms car for when he uses it and a comforter as well.
I seem to recall a post some time ago where he threatened to cheer for another team. Too bad that, just like all of DumbWad’s 5year plans, it never happened.
Cliff Fletcher
August 26th, 2010
12:33 pm
rob-cheer from his basement?
Who will hear him?
Lord Stanley
August 26th, 2010
1:48 pm
any worthy news to report regarding Thrash of Kovy soap opera
kracker
August 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
This doesn’t sound good…
ajcthrashers Dudley says Thrashers, RFA Niclas Bergfors remain a ways apart in contract negotiations. Currrently, not close on “value of player.”
Lord Stanley
August 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
RUT RORGE!!!!!!!!!!!! sounds familiar
kracker
August 26th, 2010
1:59 pm
Still, Bergfors is RFA, where can he go? Holdout? Trade? I figure they will get it done.
Zombie Steve
August 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
I’d prefer Antropov at C…. I’ve never been too impressed with Ron “Hollywood” Hainsey.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2010
2:16 pm
I reckon Bergy’s agent is just dipping the proverbial toe in the water. What’s it been? Two days? They’ve probably barely broken the ice on negotiations. I’m thinking Bergfors’ agent surmises he’s worth closer to $2.5 – $3 M per year for a 3-yr deal where as Dudley is probably pushing a structure similar to Little’s where the money escalates. That gap can be closed rather easily.
I too like Antropov for captain. He seems to have the respect of everyone on the team, he’s very even-keeled, been through the wars of ten seasons, and can back up his talk with his play. But really he’s a quiet lead by example kind of guy that would be a good counter to the more fiery Alternates: Hainsey, Bogosian and say Slater?
World Be Free
August 26th, 2010
2:17 pm
I’d rather they hash out the value when he is an RFA when the player has little options. Goods news is the term was not mentioned as an issue. Term is more of a problem than money-just look at the Bobby Ryan and Cary Pirce situations.
Russ
August 26th, 2010
2:20 pm
According to C-Viv, Dudley has said there is a good chance Buff moves back to defense this season. This team gets close to being half way decent and then does a stupid move like this. If motivated, Buff is a difference maker at forward. He is a bottom pairing/fill-in type player on defense.
kracker
August 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
Captain: My 1st choice is Hainsey. But Antro is good too, I am just prefering a NA for captain. Slater I like also. But he, like Bogo, may need to concentrate on his game. What about Sopel? Is he captain material?
Buff on D: A chicago person posted that Buff does not skate backwards nearly well enough not to be a liability as a defenseman.