Ten Terrible Ways to End Unemployment: #8

by birky on Sep 6, 2011 11:01 AM EDT

OK, so technically Lee Stempniak wasn't unemployed this summer. But we just couldn't keep him off of this list. Was there a more infuriating player to watch during his tenure with Toronto? The boards behind the opposing team's net actually cried tears of joy when they found out Stempniak had been dealt to the Phoenix Coyotes for two draft picks (both picks were dealt away by Toronto in what I can only assume was a measure to further distance itself from the man known as "Ninja"). He has since moved on to Toronto West, where he'll likely flounder with Matt Stajan on the second or third line for a team in desperate need of a rebuild. Sounds like a familiar, painful memory.

Bread crumbs....

I feel this video of Ninja really exemplifies his tenure with the Leafs:

What a beauty. I can't believe that all we gave up for this guy was Alex Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo. STEAL.

The Coyotes made the right move in dealing Stempniak to Calgary. He's a 8.5% shooter who needs sheltered ice time. It will provide Leaf fans with hours of laughter as they watch Toronto West continue their slow, painful slide to the bottom. Hey, thanks for Dion Phaneuf and Keith Aulie by the way. Let us know how that aging, below-average Finnish goaltender you've got out there works out for you as well.

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Ha, Joe’s hilarious trying to make excuses for him “looks like the stick snapped” as the replay clearly shows he just missed: “no, no, looks like he just completely fanned on it!” I don’t know how to feel about this trade though. Does anyone believe Lankow will provide better value for the Coyotes than Stempniak did? Is it possible to call this a FAIL for both teams?

by gettingcozywithsarkozy on Sep 6, 2011 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

Well, PHX reached the cap floor, so there’s that.

Of course they haven’t re-signed Turris yet.

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by nhlcheapshot on Sep 6, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Wasn’t it Stempniak who shot the puck into the corner on a breakaway against Vancouver?

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by Chemmy on Sep 6, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he may have

by Nigel Cadbury on Sep 6, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

He sure did. I was at that game, and remember yelling “F@#$ING STEMPNIAK” while Canucks fans looked on gleefully.

Fuck Lee Stempniak.

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by FiftyMissionCap on Sep 6, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

If Langkow is healthy (which is a big IF at this point) he will provide much better value.

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by Kent Wilson on Sep 6, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

This wasn’t the only time Stempniak did this either. I distinctly recall a breakaway last season where he missed the net by a good 6 feet.

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by birky on Sep 6, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I really don’t know if I agree. Stempniak has consistently put up over 15 goals over the last 3 or 4 years and he can do it in limited minutes. Langkow is paid a lot and in his last healthy season he wasn’t so succesful.

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by BCapp on Sep 6, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Kind of where I was going with the “FAIL” for both teams. Coyotes: they got an oft injured Lankow and Flames: cuz I can’t stand Lee Stempniak (though he can’t put up some form of production).

by gettingcozywithsarkozy on Sep 6, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Stempniak is not a very good player by any stretch and we DEFINITELY overpaid for him. But that being said he is a average-good 3rd line winger. He seems to consistently flirt with 20 goals and 40 points.

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by BCapp on Sep 6, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

oops, that shoulbe be:

(though he can’t put up some form of production)

by gettingcozywithsarkozy on Sep 6, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Lee Stempniak is an asshole.

Watch him score 50.

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by puckurgently on Sep 6, 2011 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

ALEX ALEX, I MISS YOU!!!
In conclusion, Fuck Lee Stempniak.

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by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Sep 6, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs

Wait this isn’t the FTB. You suck birky.

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by Chemmy on Sep 6, 2011 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

OT

I was just looking at the roster for the Maple Leafs South, when I noticed a name that was never a Leaf but should have been – Chris Durno!

If he makes the team, then when the Canes come to TO, I’ll have to give a standing O to Kaberle, a nice round of applause for Brent, a few polite claps for Poni, be indifferent to Harrison, have a few Bronx cheers for Tlusty and now reminisce about what could have been with Durno? Man, that’s a long list.

by Lemonstyx on Sep 6, 2011 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

Stempniak once had a great PK shift for T.O. and I got to make of my bro for pronunciating his name wrong every time he tried. Other than that, so long, good luck in T.M.L South.

by DiaDud on Sep 6, 2011 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

T.M.L. West for him. He’s in Calgary not Carolina.

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by BCapp on Sep 6, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Riiight. Now I remember..

by DiaDud on Sep 6, 2011 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I laughed……kid you not…..for 5mins after watching that video LMAO. I was at that game, remember my buddy ripping on Lee for must have been 2hours. Ahhhh…..thank god their getting better

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by SPERO on Sep 6, 2011 5:45 PM EDT reply actions