Boston Bruins: Lee Stempniak Signs In Carolina
Boston Bruins: Lee Stempniak Signs In Carolina for Two Years
The Boston Bruins traded away a 2016 4th round draft pick and a 2017 second round draft pick to acquire Lee Stempniak at the 2016 trade deadline. The deal didn’t look awful on the surface with Stempniak becoming an instant fit on the Bruins top line alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, but that all changed on July 1.
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Stempniak, a career journeyman, was locked up to a two-year contract worth $5 million by the Carolina Hurricanes. After playing in New Jersey on a PTO last year, Stempniak proved once again that he is one of the NHL’s most underrated players, scoring 16 goals and 41 points in 63 games prior to being traded to the Bruins. In the final 19 games of the season, Stempniak scored two goals and added seven assists for 10 points with Boston.
The Carolina Hurricanes are getting a player in Stempniak who can play up and down the lineup at the right wing position. Whether it’s in a top-six or bottom-six role, Stempniak has been one of the best 5-on-5 scorers in all of the NHL over the last few years, and he is finally being rewarded for his efforts.
It’s a shame that the Bruins couldn’t lock up Stempniak as their right wing depth is limited to just David Pastrnak and Jimmy Hayes, as well as Seth Griffith in the AHL, for the 2016-17 season. Stempniak could have been a very good piece for the Bruins this season, but they clearly felt the cost of $2.5 million was out of their price range moving forward.
Next: Zach Trotman Signs in Los Angeles
The real kicker on this deal is the fact that the Bruins have now lost their second round draft pick next season which limits their offer-sheet potential. Even worse was the Bruins’ trade to acquire Zac Rinaldo last season which also hurt their offer-sheet potential, as they sent a 2017 third round draft pick for the troubled winger.