Plugging away to stay
Stempniak shows off his value
When opportunity knocked, Lee Stempniak was ready to let it in.
The veteran winger got the call early in the preseason for a chance to show what he can do with a Bruins roster filled with young talent.
As the B’s get closer to making their opening roster official, Stempniak has survived to the final preseason games.
“I feel good,” he said. “I feel like I’ve gotten better and played stronger as the training camp has gone along. For me, having missed the first half of last season with injuries, a lot of it is proving I’m healthy, proving I can still skate and play at a high level, and I feel like I’ve done that and have made the most of the opportunity.”
Stempniak scored in last night’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Wings at the Garden, a laser from the left faceoff dot five seconds into a power play, for his second goal and eighth point overall in the preseason.
It can only help his cause. Playing on a younger team energized Stempniak, who has skated up and down the lineup in practices and games. He has built chemistry with some of those players as well, and he’s taken note.
“It’s been fun. They certainly bring the excitement,” said Stempniak. “I played with Trent Frederic, who’s a young guy, he’s from St. Louis, where I started, and we talked about that a bit, and he’s a good player and responsible defensively. He’s strong on the pucks, good on offense. I think they bring a lot of energy to the game and they’re talented. It’s becoming a younger game.”
This isn’t the 35-yearold’s first go-around with the B’s. Stempniak played 19 games for them in 201516, scoring three goals and 10 points.
That familiarity has been a bit of a comfort for a player who has toiled for 10 NHL teams. He keeps getting that call from teams for a reason — his steady presence and ability to score into the high teens brings plenty of value, especially for a team seeking extra forward depth.
“There’s a lot of good players, so for me I was on a tryout a few years ago, and it’s the same mentality and has been every year I’ve been in the league,” said Stempniak. “You go out and try to play to your strengths, to the best of what you do. For me that’s skating and moving my feet, creating chances off the forecheck and moving pucks.”
Stempniak is aware that, despite playing at his best in the preseason, there might be too many players and not enough spots. He feels his veteran presence can be helpful.
“At the end of the day, you need to play to your strengths and what the coaches are looking for,” he said. “They make a decision based on what they need and what role you fill, but I feel like I can play up and down the lineup.”
In the same boat as Daniel Winnik, who has also made an impression in his pro tryout, Stempniak would likely get a chance elsewhere if things don’t work out here. It’s something he keeps in mind before games.
“You’re aware of it going in,” he said. “The games are scouted for guys on tryouts and guys on waivers. You’re auditioning for other teams, but once you get here, you feel pretty committed to the Bruins and trying to win.”
The next couple of days will determine who will make the roster heading to Washington for the season opener. With less than a week to go, the Bruins have many options.
And for now, Stempniak is one of them.
“I try to play my best game and if it works out, it’s a great team and would be a good fit,” Stempniak said, “but if not, I feel like I’ve played well.”