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FlightZone: Lee Stempniak Liked Winnipeg

As per Sportsnet, it turns out that former Winnipeg Jets forward Lee Stempniak, who Chevy obtained in exchange for Carl Klingberg but then let walk as a UFA this summer, quite liked his stay in hockey's frozen tundra.

Aside from that, he also provided this lovely quote: "I was hoping to go back, but from what my agent told me, they were looking to give some spots to young guys…I don’t think we ever fully closed the door on it, but at this point, if I had to guess, it doesn’t look too promising". Let's see what between now and October 8th brings in terms of veteran additions, if any.

And now the news.

Central Division

"Marian Hossa ate pierogi from the Stanley Cup" is one of those headlines you never realized you've been waiting your whole life to write. Considering the Stanley Cup is a sacred thing and it's an honour to win it, folks sure do treat it in strange ways sometimes. (Chicago Sun-Times)

The optimism from earlier was simply smoke and mirrors, for now our frenemies at Mile High Sticking sound resigned to finishing last in the Central. They even go so far as to say that "the Jets are only getting better". (MHS)

Our Minnesotan friends speculate on what 3-on-3 line combos head coach Mike Yeo might roll out in extra time. $6.5 million dollar man Thomas Vanek does not appear on any of them, and probably rightly so. (Hockey Wilderness)

Nik Ehlers, Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey and Nic Petan are all set to appear in this year's NHLPA Rookie Showcase. Photo ops and media availability in Toronto, the dream of every prospect. (ProHockeyTalk)

If he doesn't make the Jets roster this year, Nikolaj Ehlers would look to Switzerland rather than going back to the Halifax Mooseheads. Honestly, he's proven all he needs to at the QMJHL level by this point, hasn't he? And here's something I didn't know: Nik's father Heinz Ehlers is head coach of the NLA's Lausanne HC. Might be a fit for one more year of development. (The Hockey Writers)

Nik Antropov is attempting an NHL return and apparently "talking to a couple of teams". When various AIH voices pine for a veteran addition, I'm not sure if he was what we had in mind. (Toronto Sun)

And A Few Scattered Others

The good news is, underrated Arizona Coyotes' centre Martin Hanzal sounds to be recovered from back surgery and ready for training camp. The bad news is, a healthy Hanzal doesn't help the Coyotes draft Auston Matthews. (FOX Sports Arizona)

Continuing with news from the desert, “The Coyotes two years ago could have signed Boedker to a five-year deal at an average annual value of $3.2 million, two sources told FOX Sports Arizona.” Instead, he’s now a pending 2016 UFA making $3.75 million on a one year deal. This situation sounds somewhat familiar. (FSA)

While looking at statistical oddball Justin Schultz, Travis Yost has some sage advice for GMs: "if you're not figuring out what went wrong, you're bound to repeat the same mistakes until you're replaced by someone who can." (TSN)

Slava Voynov has reportedly been released from jail after serving 45 days of a 90-day sentence. Here's a reminder that "The NHL, under terms of the CBA, has the right to nullify a player's contract if the Commissioner deems it appropriate". Your move, Gary. (The Fourth Period)

The question of "Who will skate with John Tavares" reminds me that Garth Snow has a certain Kyle Okposo contractual matter to deal with. It'll also be interesting to see if top-prospect Michael Dal Colle can make the team out of camp, and maybe provide an additional answer on left wing. (NHL)

Actually, scrap that, as Brian Compton has designated someone other than Dal Colle as the Islanders' top prospect. When you also include Mathew Barzal and Josh Ho-Sang, this is an exciting list. (NHL)

Sad panda Tyler Kennedy is hoping to stay in the NHL despite an underwhelming 2014-15. I can think of worse depth wingers still on the market. (TribLIVE)

The Sedins really need to stop being rather entertaining. This time, they're going head-to-head in a selfie scavenger hunt. No, seriously. The fact that both of them are bewildered by the word "apron" is delightful. (NHL)

And finally, former Broad Street Hockey writer Eric Tulsky has been hired full-time by the Carolina Hurricanes as Hockey Analyst, after working the 2014-15 season for them on a part-time basis. If you haven't already bought that Steve Dangle t-shirt, now is the time. (BSH)

Thanks for reading!

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