The Calgary Flames locked up pending free agent Lee Stempniak to a two-year, $5-million contract on Friday, two days before he was set to hit the open market.
Stempniak was acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes last August for centre Daymond Langkow and finished with 14 goals and 28 points in 61 games last season. His two-year, $3.8 million contract was set to expire July 1.
“We like what Lee Stempniak brings to our lineup, and our team missed him a lot with an injury last year,” said Flames general manager Jay Feaster. “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.”
The Flames also re-signed defenceman Cory Sarich and centre Blair Jones on Friday.
It’s been an eventful couple days for Feaster, who acquired and signed defenceman Dennis Wideman to a five-year, $26.25-million deal on Wednesday while also locking up centre Blake Comeau for one year.
