Quote:
Originally Posted by Super-Rye
Depends on the market really. If I had to find a comparable in recent years to Stempniak I would say Chris Kelly, who got a second round pick out of Boston.
Maybe he will bring back a 2nd, maybe something like a 3rd + or a 4th +. The fact that you think his value is closer to a conditional 7th means, at least in my eyes, you're judging Stempniak on what he has done the last 12 games of his career and you are definitely someone who allows stats to morph your opinion.
What does Butler have to do with this? Nothing, that's what.
How many times this year have you thought to yourself "You're positioning is garbage." or "you got beat cleanly" or "what a terrible pass to get out of your zone. Way to turn the puck over." about Lee Stempniak. Honestly, not once off the top of my head, though I am sure it has happened a few times because, quite frankly, no player is perfect and mistakes will happen.
Stempniak's -17 in 24 games is probably more of a product of the position Stempniak has in within the lineup, and less to do with Stempniak's defensive play as a whole.
Firstly this team's goaltending, while good, has been probably about average or maybe slightly above depending on the game. There's no Miika Kiprusoff out there making glorious save after glorious save to make up for his teams mistakes.
Secondly the teams defensive structure as a whole, while better lately, is still something left to be desired. It happens, the teams young and in a time of transition.
Lastly, and this is probably the most important part, Stempniak is being thrust into a position over his head because the Flames lack better options. For a number of games he was on the top line (With Stajan and Cammalleri) playing against other teams top players. Stempniak is not a top line player. Like I said previously he is a top 9 player, who can get really hot (14 goals in 14 games with the Coyotes after the Leafs trade in 2010).
In my opinion Lee Stempniak's +/- is more of a reflection of the team around him than how Stempniak is playing defensively. He's not perfect but I would say he is pretty solid.
Besides the obvious point of "There are a lot of other teams that are out of the playoffs that would have Stempniak in their top 9." completely debunking your claim of
There are definitely a couple of play-off bound teams who could use a versatile guy like Lee Stempniak to round out their top 9. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche are 2 of the more likely teams, in my opinion, could use another forward. In Pittsburgh's case they could probably use 2.
No it is not. Top 9 players can play against guys matched on other teams 3rd lines, which is where I think Stempniak would excel.
You want to bring Butler into the conversation then fine. (I think you have a man crush on him or something. The obsession seems unhealthy.) Saying Stempniak is a top 9 guy who can briefly fill in a top 6 role when injuries roll around is like saying Chris Butler is a top 6 defenseman who can briefly fill in a top 4 when someone gets injured, which I think is a very fair assessment of both players.
Your logic is flawed just based on the fact Brian Burke didn't give him this line up. Burke inherited this line-up from Feaster.
Stempniak is playing 19 minutes because:
1) The Flames have a bunch of kinds who need a bit of sheltering from other teams best players. Stempniak is a shield for some of these players.
2) He is a versatile forward. He can play in all 3 zones and be used in both special teams situations if need be.
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Chris Kelly is a great example..
For Stempniak to get to the point that Kelly was when he went to Boston for a 2nd round pick he needs to get 6 goals 10 points and go +7 in his next 23 games while dropping down to 15 minutes / game and 10 seconds/game on the PP.
Kelly was playing on a Ottawa team that was equally as bad as this years Flames team. He was playing on a line with Jarko Ruttu and Neil.
Nobody is going to look at Stempniak and say that he might be the missing ingredient to drive the 3rd line with Ryder and Peverly.