Word around town was that the Winnipeg Jets were still looking to add at least one more forward before the NHL trade deadline. Turns out, word around town was right.
While the Jets were beating the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 in Winnipeg, Kevin Cheveldayoff was acquired forward Lee Stempniak from the New York Rangers in exchange for AHL prospect Carl Klingberg.
NYR trade Lee Stempniak to WPG. #TradeCentre
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2015
Stempniak to Winnipeg for Klingberg
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 1, 2015
Klingberg's been one of the AHL IceCaps' more effective players over the last two years, but it's increasingly looked like he just wasn't going to fit into the Jets' plans moving forward. In Klingberg the Jets likely aren't giving up an above-average NHLer, but may be giving up a future bottom-six winger. Klingberg will be getting a fresh start that he needs with the Rangers' organization, but finds himself in the midst of a more talented prospect pool of wingers than the Jets had.
In Lee Stempniak, the Jets get a proven, experienced middle-six forward that can reliably chip in offense at a 30-40 point pace, and play on special teams. The Jets were rumoured to have been in the running for Stempniak's services this past off-season, and finally got their man.
(Via Domenic Galamini and Own The Puck), here's a quick look at Stempniak's HERO chart and how he stacks up.
What do you think of the Jets' most recent acquisition?