Today’s noteworthy performance is courtesy of Lee Stempniak.  Just to clarify, this is the Stempniak that has been showing up and contributing in a big way for the Phoenix Coyotes, not the Stempniak who showed such tantalizing flashes when he played in Toronto, and then would couple them with long stretches of just kind of hanging out.

Maybe he just needed a change of scenery.  Maybe he needed more exposure.  Maybe he couldn’t handle the pressure in TO.  Whatever it is, he is paying off for the Coyotes.  This Lee Stempniak would be worth the two first rounders the Leafs gave up for him.  The Stempniak the Leafs had for almost two seasons was worth Matt Jones and the two late round draft picks the Leafs got for him.  Kind of strange how that works out, eh?