Report: Blackhawks agree to deal with Czech d-man Kempny

TishLover · May 23, 2016

Darren DregerVerified account
‏@DarrenDreger
Just got home from Russia. Kempny signing with the Blackhawks reported. Montreal and Carolina were also in the mix. He chose Chicago.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/05/23/report-blackhawks-agree-to-deal-with-czech-d-man-kempny/

By Cam TuckerMay 23, 2016, 7:57 PM EDT

The Chicago Blackhawks have reportedly agreed to a contract with Czech defenseman Michal Kempny, who will turn 26 years old in September.

The club has yet to officially announce such a deal.

Reports of the deal come following the 2016 world hockey championship, where Kempny recorded two assists in eight games for the Czech Republic. He also had 10 penalty minutes and 19 shots on goal in the tournament.

After spending six years of his career in the Czech league, Kempny spent the 2015-16 season in the KHL with Avangard Omsk, where he had five goals and 21 points in 59 regular season games.

Spunky Porkstacker · May 23, 2016

Here's a link>story from Scott Powers after going to watch Kempny in Europe.

Here’s what Bowman said of Kempny on Sunday: “He’s a mobile defenseman. He’s got that mixture of offense and defense. I would call him a really well-rounded guy. He can defend well in his own end. Mobility, he’s a good skater. He can transition the puck. He can sort of play a well-rounded game, which I think as a defenseman, you’ve seen our team play a lot, you have to be able to defend for our coaches to be able to rely on you. He’s got that ability to sort of play both ways.”

DMelt36 · May 23, 2016

Pretty excited about this signing. If he proves to be as good as advertised, he could fill the gaping hole that the Blackhawks have in their D corps.

Diehardfan · May 23, 2016

DMelt36 said:
Pretty excited about this signing. If he proves to be as good as advertised, he could fill the gaping hole that the Blackhawks have in their D corps.

Yeah, me too. If both he and Forsling can play...Bowman may have found an affordable way to turn a weakness into a strength.

[video=youtube;wPFw5AOBGWw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPFw5AOBGWw[/video]

Looks like another dman with a big shot. Can never have too many of those.

ClydeLee · May 23, 2016

I like it.

Though what makes me ponder is I'm not sure if this makes them more or less likely to decide on re-signing Rozi.

Ares · May 24, 2016

ClydeLee said:
I like it.

Though what makes me ponder is I'm not sure if this makes them more or less likely to decide on re-signing Rozi.

HawkWriter · May 24, 2016

Competition for the #5/6 spot is good. Cheap competition for the #5/6 spot is even better. Hopefully one of Forsling or Kempny (or better yet, both) can help out in the upcoming season. It will be needed.

LordKOTL · May 24, 2016

With the D-signings, there's no real reason the 'hawks can't ice an acceptable D-corps next season unless the top-3 play like they did this past season.

Tater · May 24, 2016

CSN link: http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-blackhawks/report-blackhawks-agree-terms-defenseman-michal-kempny

Report: Blackhawks agree to terms with defenseman Michal Kempny

By Charlie Roumeliotis May 23, 2016 4:45 PM

The Blackhawks have reportedly agreed to terms with defenseman Michal Kempny, according to ESPN's Craig Custance. It's a one-year, entry-level contract worth somewhere in between $575,000 and $925,000, according to generalfanager.com.
The 25-year-old Czech Republic native registered five goals, 16 assists and owned a plus-17 rating in 59 regular-season games this past season with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League. He also racked up four points (two goals and two assists) and had a plus-7 rating in 11 postseason contests.
Kempny waited until after the 2016 IIHF World Hockey Championship ended before making a decision. He had two assists in eight games during the tournament, and was tied for the team-lead with a plus-7 rating. His performance was good enough to be named one of Czech Republic's best players.

Kempny is a 6-foot, 194-pound left-handed defenseman who's known for his puck-moving skills and his ability to play well at both ends of the ice.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman spoke with Scott Powers of The Athletic earlier this month about the possibility of signing Kempny, and provided a quick scouting report on him:
“He’s a mobile defenseman,” Bowman said. “He’s got that mixture of offense and defense. I would call him a really well-rounded guy. He can defend well in his own end. Mobility, he’s a good skater. He can transition the puck. He can sort of play a well-rounded game, which I think as a defenseman, you’ve seen our team play a lot, you have to be able to defend for our coaches to be able to rely on you. He’s got that ability to sort of play both ways.”
Kempny gives the Blackhawks an NHL-ready defenseman with the potential to slot into a top-four role, or at least take some pressure off a blue line group that lacked the depth it's had in previous seasons.

HawkWriter · May 24, 2016

As I said in my previous post, all this is good but lets not get too excited here. After all, Cam Barker lead all defensemen in points last year in the KHL. Stats and quick youtube videos aren't going to do much good. Watching a player for a full game, several games, preseason, etc will give you a better idea of what the Blackhawks can have in both Kempny and Forsling. Kempny looked fine in the Worlds and was well rounded but both of those guys still have to transition to a NA style game which can be a lot to ask.

ClydeLee · May 24, 2016

BlackHawkPaul · May 25, 2016

HawkWriter said:
As I said in my previous post, all this is good but lets not get too excited here. After all, Cam Barker lead all defensemen in points last year in the KHL. Stats and quick youtube videos aren't going to do much good. Watching a player for a full game, several games, preseason, etc will give you a better idea of what the Blackhawks can have in both Kempny and Forsling. Kempny looked fine in the Worlds and was well rounded but both of those guys still have to transition to a NA style game which can be a lot to ask.

I watched a few Youtube clips of Panarin and went HOLY SHIT, we're getting that guy? He seemed to adjust just fine.
Of course it's a whole different type of player, but you ascertain to a degree how a player may fit into a system. The next hurdle will be how Q utilizes him.

DMelt36 · May 25, 2016

Very low risk, potentially high reward. There's nothing to dislike about it. And I've seen no one get "too excited" about it.

ClydeLee · May 26, 2016

DMelt36 said:
Very low risk, potentially high reward. There's nothing to dislike about it. And I've seen no one get "too excited" about it.

no risk on actually the other additions they added at the same time. A 28 year old Goalie who was noted as Swedens goalie of the year this season in the SEL and another Swede from the league who is a 25 year old Defensive, fast, tough, pker guy with next to no offensive production but a chance to be a toughguy who is actually sound defensively so perhaps that could be a great fit besides Kruger... or he could become just a solid guy like that in Rockford if they don't bring back Lambais who was kinda that but is also a bit too much in the dbag department.

MassHavoc · May 26, 2016

I missed it, I assume all three new contracts are two way?

bamainatlanta · May 26, 2016

DMelt36 said:
Very low risk, potentially high reward. There's nothing to dislike about it. And I've seen no one get "too excited" about it.

Sorry but I'm Jizzing in my pants because of the signing

Spunky Porkstacker · May 26, 2016

bamainatlanta said:
Sorry but I'm Jizzing in my pants because of the signing

I'm cautiously puckering my Jiz until he gets on the ice and plays as good as we hope he does.

Tater · May 26, 2016

Spunky Porkstacker said:
I'm cautiously puckering my Jiz until he gets on the ice and plays as good as we hope he does.

If you can pucker your jiz, you truly are the Jiz Master.

Spunky Porkstacker · May 26, 2016

:cum:

Tater said:
If you can pucker your jiz, you truly are the Jiz Master.

:cum:

LordKOTL · May 26, 2016

MassHavoc said:
I missed it, I assume all three new contracts are two way?

According to CF, all are one-way.

Also according to CF, all are waivers-exempt.

Report: Blackhawks agree to deal with Czech d-man Kempny

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