Stempniak is back, Coyotes fans excited
Written by AZSportsHUB, Wednesday September 01 2010
Last year the Coyotes looked great, right before the Olympic break. Then they began to spiral out of control. They lost thier focus, mojo or something and things did not seem to be working. I remember going to a Thursday night game and the Dallas Stars put three pucks in the back of the net in the second period alone. With the trade deadline approaching, the Coyotes needed a change or a spark. They got one with Lee Stempniak.
Stempniak came to the desert at the trade deadline from Toronto and he made his presence known. In his first 18 games with the Coyotes Stempniak slapped in 14 goals. He was the hottest player in the league and he was awarded player of the month by the NHL channel. Stempniak really created some momentum that the Coyotes needed heading into the playoffs.
But once Stempniak got to the playoffs he cooled down. He only had two assists in the seven game series against the Detroit Red Wings. But we would not have gotten there without him. The playoffs ended bitterly for the Coyotes, which is one of the reasons that Stempniak is back.
Lee Stempniak signed a two year 3.5 million dollar deal this Sunday. Stempniak was in negotiations with other teams but the lure of the playoffs brought him back. He said, “I know how special the playoffs are, and that gives you a lot of motivation to want to be there every year.” Stempniak believes that the Coyotes are his best shot to return to the playoffs. With him on the roster, they have a much better chance getting farther than the first round.
Yet again you have got to give it up to Don Maloney. He always finds ways to work with he’s got. Many believed, The Hub included, that Stempniak would not be signed. But now that Maloney has defied the odds again, I feel even more confident about the Coyotes.
Stempniak brings what every team always could use more off, scoring. He will be a great player for that second line, which needed some help. Get ready Coyote fans, Stempniak is back!
The Arizona Sports Hub: Edmund Hubbard
The Arizona Sports Hub: Edmund Hubbard
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He's a great player.Coyotes should do well with all the talent they have.