Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - The Calgary Flames signed forwards Lee
Stempniak and Blair Jones on Friday.
Stempniak's deal is worth $5 million over two years. The 29-year-old winger
scored 14 goals and had 28 points in 61 games for the Flames last season.
"We like what Lee Stempniak brings to our lineup, and our team missed him a
lot with an injury last year," Flames general manager Jay Feaster said. "We
believe Lee continues to have strong upside offensively, and he has
demonstrated that he can be responsible at both ends of the ice. His skating
style and willingness to get in on the forecheck will fit in nicely with Bob
Hartley's up-tempo style, and he provides the coaching staff with more options
on the power play."
In eight seasons in St. Louis, Toronto, Phoenix and Calgary, Stempniak has 129
goals and 146 helpers in 517 games.
Jones also signed a two-year deal with the Flames.
"Blair Jones is the type of 'hard to play against' player we want in our
lineup," remarked Feaster. "He is a big body, he is fearless, he drives hard
to the net and takes defenders with him, he uses his body effectively in both
zones and he is versatile in that he can play on the third or fourth line,
kills penalties, blocks shots and can be seen occasionally on the power
play for a net-front presence.
"In addition, we believe he is only going to continue to get better as he
works on other aspects of his game such as face offs and being an irritant to
play against. We are pleased to have him signed."
Jones, 26, split time between the Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning last
season and registered eight points and 18 penalty minutes in 43 games.
In 99 career games, he has posted 14 points and 32 PIMs.
The Sports Network