The Arizona Coyotes have, to put it mildly, had issues with drafting and developing players. Not for a lack of trying though, as they were caught cheating ahead of the 2019-20 draft combine, testing players before it was allowed. Now they are bringing in a former Leaf to help them *legally* get a leg up on the competition.
Former Leafs winger Lee Stempniak has been hired as the Yotes new Head of Player Development. Stempniak began his NHL career with the St Louis Blues before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008. One of a long list of bad trades the Leafs made during that period by Bryan Burke, the Leafs shipped out Alex Steen and Carlo Coliacovo for Stempniak. Just 2 years later, they shipped Stempniak to Arizona in exchange for Matt Jones, a 4th and a 7th round pick. Another banner trade for Burke.
Stempniak would go on to play for the Coyotes, Flames, Penguins, Rangers, Jets, Devils and Bruins in 14-year career that saw him play for 10 different NHL franchises, 2 short of the NHL record set by Mike Sillinger. He'll have plenty to work with in his new role. The Coyotes have drafted 9 players in the first 2 rounds over the last 2 seasons. At this point, the future of the team's success, and possibly their future in the desert lays on his shoulders.
