Pucks and Pitchforks
Fansided

New Jersey Devils Free Agency Profile: Lee Stempniak

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Lee Stempniak #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes warms up prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 15, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Lee Stempniak #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes warms up prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 15, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New Jersey Devils are officially in offseason mode. Over the next few days, we will look at 20 potential free agents they could look at signing. Today, we look at the Carolina Hurricanes Lee Stempniak.

The New Jersey Devils and Lee Stempniak had a very good relationship when he played part of one season on the team back in 2015-16. He scored 41 points in 63 games before the Boston Bruins gave up a second and fourth-round pick at the trade deadline.

Stempniak was rumored to return to the Devils that offseason, but chose to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes instead. In his first season with the Hurricanes, he was very serviceable. He scored 16 goals and didn’t miss a game.

This season, however, things didn’t go so well. Stempniak scored just three goals in a lost season. He only played 37 games due to various upper-body injuries. Basing things off this season, there’s no reason to even consider him. However, we’ve seen what Stempniak can do.

Stempniak is an interesting player. He’s a great locker room guy, but somehow he always finds his way on the trading block. In his three seasons prior to signing with the Hurricanes, he was traded in each season. That’s an interesting anecdote.

Stempniak would be the perfect replacement for Drew Stafford. While he isn’t a player that’s a lock to make the Opening Night lineup, he is definitely someone who can produce when called upon.

Stempniak is 35 years old. He understands where his career is right now. He’s not signing with a team for the $2.5 million per season he’s used to. When he signed with the Devils in 2015, it was for $850,000. If the Devils were to consider him again, the price would be similar.

I actually think Stempniak would be a great fit on the Devils. He’s a team-first guy. He’ll have the humility to teach the young kids how to be NHL players on and off the ice. Don’t go out of your way to sign Stempniak, and don’t pay more than $1 million, but if the stars align this could be good for both parties.

Home/Free Agency