Lee Stempniak News

After a difficult first half of the season because of injury, Stempniak’s season debut will have to wait until later in the week. The veteran will sit as a healthy scratch tonight but will appear in one of the Hurricanes back-to-back games on Thursday/Friday.

Stempniak has yet to play an NHL game this season, but appeared in an AHL conditioning stint but suffered a setback. Stempniak had 16 goals and 24 assists (40 points) in 82 games a season ago and look for him to make his NHL debut on Tuesday.

Stempniak was with Charlotte (AHL) on a conditioning stint as he works his way towards his season debut after missing the first five weeks of the season with a back injury that he’s been dealing with since the offseason. Stempniak is reportedly dealing with an upper-body injury, so it might be an entirely new injury and could land him back on IR as a result. The Hurricanes are playing well without the veteran winger, so they will not rush him back for a game in November. When he is healthy, he is expected to slide onto the third line for Brock McGinn.

Hurricanes head coach said on Tuesday that it will be 10 days to two weeks before Stempniak can play. The veteran winger missed some time during the preseason with a sore hip and his injury opens the door for Janne Kuokkanen to start the year with the Hurricanes.

Stempniak underwent an MRI last week, but the Hurricanes have not released a statement regarding his injury status. The veteran winger’s status for the season opener remains up in the air, but his injury opens the door for this summer’s No.12 overall pick (Martin Necas) to start the season in the NHL.

Stempniak’s tour around the NHL continues as he has now signed with his 10th NHL team and seventh in the last four seasons. Despite moving around frequently, his offensive ability has remained consistent. He is coming off of a great season, where he recorded 19 goals and 32 assists (51 points) in 82 games with the Devils (63) and the Bruins (19). Stempniak figures to play a top-6 role in Carolina.

Stempniak, 33, is no stranger to being traded at the deadline and will now report to his ninth different NHL team. Stempniak rejuvenated his career in New Jersey this season, picking up 16 goals and 25 assists (41 points) in 63 games and now finds himself in Boston where he looks to continue that strong pace.

Stempniak missed Saturday's practice with an illness and his status for today's game in uncertain. The Devils and Islanders faceoff at 5 p.m ET so they won't have a morning skate, so we likely won't get an update on Stempniak's status until a few hours before the game or in warmups.

Stempniak has scored nine goals with nine assists (18 points) in 53 games with the Rangers this season. This could be just a cap-dump, but it is not a big one considering Stempniak’s cap-hit is just $900K. He should play a consistent bottom-6 role with Winnipeg.

There were some rumblings that Stempniak would be back in the lineup tonight, but coach Alain Vigneault would not confirm that this morning. Stempniak is on the ice for warmups, skating with Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin.

Stempniak has missed the last two games with an illness that has been diagnosed as mumps. Despite having the virus, Stempniak skated on his own this morning and is expected to join the team on Tuesday. That suggests that he is past the infectious stage.

Stempniak is expected to be isolated from the team until Tuesday which means he will likely miss the next three games and won’t be back until after the Christmas break. The Rangers are already without Derick Brassard who is out with mumps.

With Stempniak likely out, Jesper Fast is expected to suit up on the Rangers fourth line. Stempniak is listed as day-to-day.

Stempniak, 31, had 12 goals and 22 assists (34 points) in 73 games between the Flames and Penguins last season. He provides the Rangers with depth at right wing, but likely won't play a big enough role to have a fantasy impact in 2014-15.

It is believed that when Stempniak makes his was into the Penguins lineup, that he will skate on a line with Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. Nothing has been confirmed by coach Bylsma, so we will wait for warmups to determine if he even plays tonight vs. the Coyotes.

The Penguins were shopping for a winger that can replace Pascal Dupuis, who was lost for the season. with a knee injury. Stempniak is expected to replace Brian Gibbons on Sidney Crosby's wing, which will obviously make him an intriguing pick-up. Stempniak has eight goals and 15 assists in 52 games this season. Despite likely landing on a line with Crosby, he has not scored 20 goals since 2006-07. He makes for a speculative add in 12-team leagues.