Stempniak’s challenge
Won’t be easy to win a spot
The odds of Lee Stempniak landing a contract with the Bruins would seem slim. The team has three young, inhouse hopefuls at the same
position with Ryan Donato, Anders Bjork and Danton Heinen vying to fill the open top-six role on the right wing.
Those who don’t nail down that job could trickle down to a bottom-six spot.
If things don’t go as planned, and these young players are unable to seize the job, then maybe Stempniak could gain a spot.
After an injury-plagued season last year — he broke his clavicle in training camp then injured the same area upon his return — the 35-year-old Stempniak feels he still has something to offer.
“I was here a couple of years ago (as a deadline acquisition) and skating with a lot of guys for the last month or so. I know them, I know management and feel pretty comfortable here,” he said. “I was on a tryout a few years ago with New Jersey and I know how it works and what to expect. It feels good. Last year, I missed basically the first 40 games of the year with two different injuries. I got back to play the last half of the season, but playing your first game in January is hard in terms of getting your timing and getting up to speed. I felt like I was playing catch-up all year.
“I had a great summer of training and feel completely healthy. It’s probably the best I’ve felt in three or four years. I want to come out and prove that I’m healthy and that I can contribute.
“I saw how the Bruins were last year,” he continued. “They’re great team and that’s what makes it appealing to come here, to try and be on a team that’s capable of winning a Stanley Cup. I think I’m a versatile player that can fill a lot of different roles and can contribute in a lot of different ways.”
After the 2015-16 season ended, Stempniak left the Bruins and signed with Carolina. He had a solid season with the Hurricanes, notching 16-24-40 totals, but was limited to 3-6-9 his injuryplagued next season, which covered just 37 games.
He has played for 10 different NHL teams, and believes he has a bounce-back year in him.
“You’re just looking as an opportunity as a player,” said Stempniak, who skated yesterday with fellow professional tryout Daniel Winnik at center. “The game is going younger and I thought I was maybe out of sight, out of mind a little bit last year with my injury. I struggled a bit getting up to speed coming back, but I’m looking for the right opportunity to show what I can do. I feel like I’m skating well, and it’s a skating game. I think I can chip in offensively, I’m responsible defensively and I can play sort of whatever role is asked of me. I think that versatility is helpful when trying to grab a spot.”
Kampfer knows deal
Defenseman Steven Kampfer was surprised to learn of the trade that sent him from the Rangers to the Bruins for defenseman Adam McQuaid. He also said he was happy to return to the organization he broke in with as a pro. Kampfer played 38 games for the B’s in the Stanley Cup year of 2010-11 before being moved to Minnesota for Greg Zanon in a deadline deal the next season.
Kampfer’s been dogged by injuries — concussion, knee, hand — as he’s moved around from Minnesota to Florida before landing with the Rangers. He’ll have a tough time seeing playing time with the Bruins, but he does provide organizational depth for right shot defensemen.
“There are definitely a lot of guys who can play but you have to come in and earn a spot. Nothing’s guaranteed. You just have to work hard and try to make yourself noticed,” said Kampfer.
Z thinks of other Z
Bruins defenseman and team captain Zdeno Chara was sad to hear the news of Red Wings star Henrik Zetterberg being forced to retire because of his chronic back injury.
“He is such an elite and it’s very unfortunate that he cannot continue. The things he’s done for the Red Wings, for the Detroit organization and community is remarkable. I’m sure he’ll always be known for how he played and how he led and what he did for the community,” said Chara. “Those are always the tough news to find out. We just came off the ice and saw the headlines. As players, those are the types of exits that you don’t want to see players have, leaving the game because of injuries.”