The Boston Bruins have added veteran depth to their forward group. The team signed unrestricted free agent Lee Stempniak for the rest of the season. Stempniak had to be placed on waivers but cleared on Monday. He will be assigned to Providence of the AHL, but could be called up once rosters expand.
#NHLBruins sign Lee Stempniak to 1-year contract; place on waivers for purpose of assignment to @AHLBruins: https://t.co/5baFkPolcA pic.twitter.com/9mKvqehgvl
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 24, 2019
Lee Stempniak Signs with the Boston Bruins
Stempniak had attended Bruins training camp on a Professional Tryout Contract but did not make the team. He has been skating and staying in shape, waiting for an NHL team to give him an opportunity. By signing before the NHL trade deadline, Stempniak is eligible to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Lee Stempniak was drafted in the fifth round by the St. Louis Blues in the 2003 NHL Draft. Since his rookie season in 2005-06, Stempniak has played for 10 different NHL clubs. These include the Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, the then-Phoenix Coyotes, the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes. His longest stint with an NHL club was for four seasons from 2005-06 to 2008-09 with St. Louis.
In his 13 NHL seasons, he has played in 909 NHL games, scored 203 goals and 266 assists for a total of 469 points. His career-high in points was with the St. Louis Blues in 2006-07 with 52. His career high in goals was also with the St. Louis Blues in 2006-07 with 27.
Last season Stempniak had just three goals and six assists for nine points in 37 games played. He has also added four penalty minutes. His possession numbers included 55.1 percent Corsi-for and +0.3 relative Corsi. He was sidelined for the first half of the season due to two separate upper-body injuries.
