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Lee Stempniak Re-Signs with the Phoenix Coyotes

Aug 30

Posted by EB in News | No Comments

This may have been the case for the St. Louis Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Phoenix Coyotes are far from a sub-standard team. Expect big numbers from Lee Stempniak in this upcoming season.

This may have been the case for the St. Louis Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Phoenix Coyotes are far from a sub-standard team. Expect big numbers from Lee Stempniak in this upcoming season.

Right wing Lee Stempniak agreed to a 2 year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Stempniak, at the age of 27, is coming into the prime of his career. Last season he split time with both the Toronto Maple Leafs and then ending with the Phoenix Coyotes.  Stempniak played 62 games with Toronto and 18 with Phoenix.

With Toronto Stempniak posted 14 goals, 16 assists for 30 points and a -10 rating. What is amazing is in the 18 games played with Phoenix, he matched his goal count at 14, added 4 more assists for an average of a point per game, as well as a +10 rating.

Lee Stempniak is a key addition to a young and talented Phoenix Coyotes. Pair him up with a healthy Matthew Lombardi and an extremely hard working Wojtek Wolski, Stempniak could be posting some serious numbers next season.

Combined he totaled 48 points in 80 games, 28 goals and 16 assists.

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Phoenix Coyote’s Trade Deadline Acquisitions Paying Off

Mar 8

Posted by EB in News | 1 Comment

Wojtek Wolski looking good in his new uniform with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Wojtek Wolski looking good in his new uniform with the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Phoenix Coyote’s made a big splash on NHL trade deadline day. The team, who was expected to be run out of town this year, has had an impressive year thus far. Coyote’s fans were a little down after then team point leader Scottie Upshall was hurt and not to return for the rest of the season,  but now fans can cheer as the Coyote’s stocked up not only for the rest of the season, but for the upcoming playoff run. Here is a run down of those additions.

Wojtek Wolski has 2 goals and an assist in the two games played under a new jersey. In addition, he has a +3 rating and the game winning goal against his former team the Colorado Avalanche. Wolski was a stud in his Junior career earning the Ontario Hockey League’s MVP in the 2006 season. The trend seems to be continuing, and at the young age of 24, it is only expected he will get better and better.

Derek Morris returns home as he played with the Coyotes for 5 seasons from 2003-2009. The tough defenseman has put up a power play assist, +3 rating, and has already been in a fight. Morris’ physical presence in front of the net will assist in keeping it clean for goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

Mathieu Schneider has yet to play a game with the Coyotes and is currently playing with their AHL affiliate the San Antonio Rampage. The veteran defensman has been in question of his capabilities at his age, but optimist think he will be a good addition especially come playoff time.

Lee Stempniak entered the league at the tender age of 19 with the St. Louis Blues and posted an impressive 27 points. Since then, he has had a high of 52 points, but averages more around 35 points. Since joining the Coyotes, Stempniak has a point in each of his two games, a +3 rating, and 3 shots each game. Stempniak’s point production should be solid, making the third line even more dangerous than what it is already with the likes of sniper Robert Lang.

I cannot say I know too much about young center Petteri Nokelainen, but it seems he will be playing on the fourth line. Many people overlook the importance of this line thinking of it as less ice time away from better lines. True as that may be, those lines do need rest, and a good fourth line does not only give them that rest, they also keep pucks from going in the net. Nokelainen is currently sporting a balanced +/- rating, not scoring any goals, but not letting any in.

The Phoenix Coyote’s made some great steps to improving their already solid team. As much as I love my home team the Wing’s, I will be rooting for the Coyote’s this year in the playoffs. Let’s go Yotes!

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Colorado Avalanche

Sep 24

Posted by Chris in Season Previews | 1 Comment

The Colorado Avalanche are in the middle of unchartered territory coming into this season. With Joe Sakic retiring over the summer, Colorado has lost pretty much every connection to the almost unbeatable franchise that dominated the hockey world in the mid-to-late 90’s. While things may look gloomy in Colorado this season, the team looks to have a promising future.

stastny.paul Milan Hejduk, the 33-year-old right wing who has been with the Avs since 1998, will come into this season and be counted on to help lead this team both on and off the ice. While Hejduk is no pushover on the ice and is capable of producing 50-70 points this season, the real budding stars of this team is 23-year-old Paul Stastny. In three years with the club, Stastny has accumulated 185 points in 193 games, including 63 goals. This kid has talent and can play both sides of the puck, finishing last season with a plus-17 rating. Already sporting the assistant captains “A”, Stastny very well could be next in line for the “C” when veteran Adam Foote retires.

Wojtek Wolski is another up-and-comer making a name for himself in the NHL. In three seasons with the Avs, Wolski has put up 40 or more points in each season and once reached 50. But he needs to be better at both ends as he sported a minus-13 rating last season. He has moves and he likes to show them off during shootouts. It will be interesting to see how he performs this year when there is more pressure on him to produce.

Defense is probably where the Avalanche looks strongest right now. Adam Foote, Ruslan Salei, John-Michael Liles and Tom Preissing are all veteran names setting up shop on the blue line this season. Kyle Quincey, the much-traveled defenseman who is with his third team in two seasons, enjoyed a breakout year when the Detroit Red Wings dealt him to the Los Angeles Kings at the beginning of last season. With the Kings, Quincy put up 38 points in 72 games. Not bad for a rookie. Quincey should enjoy continued success with the Avalanche this season, especially playing with some of the veteran names listed above.

Craig Anderson will definitely be an upgrade in goal over Peter Budaj, who struggles heavily with consistency. A career backup goaltender, Anderson has proven himself worthy of a number one spot and Colorado gave him his chance. The defense in front of him will be better than he dealt with in Florida, where he spent the last three seasons, so expect Anderson to have a pretty decent year in Colorado.

The X-factor coming into this season may very well be Matt Duchene, the 3rd overall draft pick from this past summers NHL draft. At only 18 years of age, Duchene is fighting hard to make the roster and show what he’s capable of. While it might be advantageous to give him a year or two in the minors to improve his skill, Duchene had a great training camp and has played well in the preseason, too. Expect Duchene to stay with the club for the first few games of the regular season. If he shines, he’ll be up for good. If not, he’s a great asset only a few years away from the big time.

Colorado is used to success, but in the midst of the rebuilding process, success might still be a few years away. The foundation is there for this team to succeed, and once management adds a few more key pieces they could be set for deep runs into the post season. This season may not be their season, but they have a bright future that seems to be in good hands.

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