Just when things were wrapping up at the trade deadline Wednesday, it was finally confirmed that the Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Lee Stempniak from the Calgary Flames.
It was apparent that Pittsburgh was on the lookout for a top-six winger to play on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. General manager Ray Shero could have been trying to deal for Ryan Kesler during the busy afternoon but the Vancouver Canucks have decided to keep him.
Through 52 games this season, Stempniak has eight goals and 23 points. He has been a member of the St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs and Phoenix Coyotes in his nine seasons in the NHL.
The right-handed winger’s best season was in 2006-07 when he recorded 27 goals and 52 points in 82 games. However, he has indeed been playing in Calgary over the last few years with limited talent around him.
Over the course of his career, Stempniak has recorded 146 goals and 330 points in 616 games and will serve as an upgrade to the top line. Brian Gibbons has been seeing the most time next to Crosby since Pascal Dupuis‘ season-ending injury.
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