Hartley seems to be doing a hell of allot better with Stempniak than Sutter did. Stemniak is a different player this season maybe he just needs a 1/2 season to play great.
He wants the puck and its finding him. Backlund is clicking really well with him.
Stempniak has always been a streaky player and its not just his scoring. His physical involvement and engagement comes and goes. Don't fool yourself into thinking he's a different player.
Stempniak has always been a streaky player and its not just his scoring. His physical involvement and engagement comes and goes. Don't fool yourself into thinking he's a different player.
All players are streaky to some degree, the trick is to make sure not everyone is cold at the same time. That is the difference between the Flames making the playoffs or not in my humble opinion.
Stempniak is a great fit as the 3rd line RW. Give him more mins and PP mins when he plays well, when he goes cold, just down to a regular 3rd line shift, unless a 4th liner is firing.
It's when a team is relying on him as a consistent source of offence that he looks out of his depth. Hartley should ride his hot streak and feed him minutes now, and keep Baertschi ready to jump up into his spot when he goes cold.
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