Calgary Flames trade Daymond Langkow to Phoenix Coyotes for Lee Stempniak –NHL offseason Update
Calgary Flames made another shocker during the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) offseason after trading veteran centre player, Daymond Langkow to Phoenix Coyotes for a younger forward, Lee Stempniak, on Monday, August 29, 2011.
Flames general manager, Jay Feaster, discussed why the trade had been made during an interview with the media.
"Because of our depth and options at center ice, this trade presents us with an opportunity to positively impact the organization in a number of ways", Feaster said. "It makes us younger and provides an opportunity to evaluate a player who may factor into
our plans for the future. It provides Brent with options as Stempniak can play either wing and can be used on both the power play and the penalty kill. And it creates healthy competition among the forward group for ice time".
Other than a number of improvements to their offensive line-up, Calgary and Phoenix both believe that the exchange will provide added benefits and allow them an ease on their respective salary caps.
Stempniak will need a payment of $1.9 million next year, much lower as compared to Langkow’s $4.5 million cap hit.
Daymond Langkow was drafted as the fifth overall draft pick during round-one of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by Tampa Bay Lightning and has played with a number of teams including Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes and Calgary Flames up until now.
The 34-year-old shooters best season came during the 2007-2008 duration as he potted 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) in 80 games played. Due to a severe neck injury sustained during a matchup on March 21, 2010 with Minnesota Wild, he missed the final 10
contests during the 2009-2010 season and the huge chuck of the following as he participated in only four games.
According to Langkow, he is fully healthy and ready to go along with being especially excited to return to his former Coyotes team.
Stempniak, a 28-year-old native of West Seneca, New York, United States, was a 148th overall draft pick during round-five of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by St. Louis Blues.
He joined Phoenix during a trade between Toronto Maple Leafs and Coyotes during the 2009-2010 season and has played two seasons with the franchise ever since. Last season he played all 82 games and put up his highest score, 38 points (19 goals, 19 assists)
compared to the past five seasons.
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