What Happened To Michal Kempny?
Michal Kempny was signed as a free agent by the Blackhawks on May 24th, 2016. Kempny didn't light up the scoresheet but was playing consistent hockey in his first NHL season. Kempny had 8 points in 50 games and was a 1 +/-. His play earned the then RFA a new one-year deal with Chicago worth $900,000. His play began to decline the following season, which lead to him being moved to Washington in exchange for a conditional 2018 3rd round draft pick.
Since his move to Washington, Kempny has not only won a Stanley Cup, but also shaped up to be the player the Blackhawks believed he could be. Kempny was paired with John Carlson, one of the best defenders in the league at that time. In the playoffs, Kempny had 5 points while suiting up in all 24 games for Washington, proving that he could play with the best of them.
However, Kempny has recently had a fall from grace due to some unfortunate injuries. In 2019, Kempny tore his hamstring. In 2020, Kempny tore his Achilles tendon. In 2021, Kempny sprained his MCL, limiting him to only 15 games. Kempny was placed on waivers and reported to the Hershey Bears of the AHL. Kempny played in 24 games for the Bears, scoring 7 points and registering a +/- 3. Kempny recently played in the 2022 IIHF tournament, earning a bronze medal with team Czechia.
With Kempny approaching free agency this offseason, will he get another shot in the NHL? In my opinion, I think Kempny could be a cheap depth option for both a contender or a team going through a rebuild. If he can return to the level he played at during his initial arrival to Washington, he could be one of the most underrated singings of the offseason, fetching a decent haul at the deadline if signed by a rebuilder, or could add quality depth for a contender. Kempny has expressed interest in making a comeback, but the jury is still out whether or not he will be afforded the opportunity to pursue one.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Kempny will be able to make a comeback? | ||
| Yes, with a contender | 45 | 28.3 % |
| Yes, with a rebuild | 38 | 23.9 % |
| No, he should go back to Europe | 76 | 47.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
