Flyers trade for Versteeg
The Flyers have traded their No. 1 and No. 3 draft picks to Toronto for 24-year-old forward Kris Versteeg, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.
Flyers trade for Versteeg
The Flyers have traded their No. 1 and No. 3 draft picks to Toronto for 24-year-old forward Kris Versteeg, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.
Versteeg, 24, is a 5-10, 179-pound winger with a righthanded shot. He has 14 goals and 21 assists in 53 games this season, his first with Toronto. He played three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, and won the Cup with them last year.
“Kris is an exciting young forward,” Holmgren said in a statement. "He’s 24 years old and he’ll fit in with our group of players here. He’s a quality forward that can play in a lot of different roles for our hockey team. He can move up and down our lineup. He can kill penalties. He can play on the power play. We think he’s a guy that over the last few years, particularly in Chicago, has really blossomed into a good forward and we think he’s going to be a really good addition to our team.”
“Right away I was extremely excited to join this team,” Versteeg said. “They’ve had a lot of success this season. They had a great playoff push last year and I’m excited to try and have a good one this year. I like to make plays and score goals at the same time, maybe go out there and be an agitator at times, too. I’m going to try and do it all and have fun doing it.”
Versteeg was a fifth-round selection of the Boston Bruins (134th overall) in the 2004 draft. He was acquired by Toronto on June 30, 2010 in a five-player trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Versteeg was part of Chicago’s Stanley Cup championship team last season, contributing 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 79 regular season games and adding six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 22 Stanley Cup playoff games.
In 223 NHL games with Chicago and Toronto over parts of four seasons, Versteeg has career totals of 58 goals and 78 assists for 136 points.
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must...win....Stanley....cup.......— kedziora- That's pretty much it for Carbomb. His role has diminished over the season, as he did not do enough to win a spot with the top 9. They don't need a player like him on the 4th line as he doesn't kill penalties or play on the pp. Given they have Shelby and Zherdev in reserve, wouldn't be surprised to see him waived.— Danno
- UncleEddie, neither one of the two players you mentioned are available. Lupul spent most of the season recovering from a blood infection, and when you consider he isn't as versatile as Versteeg, only plays limited time on the pp and carries a hefty salary which Homer gave him to begin with, it is obvious. Versteeg can play on any line, 1 through 4, as a checker, pp, pk etc. The Flyers love that kind of player, which is a lot like the other guys on the roster. The only regulars that are specialists is Briere and Betts.— Danno
- We didn't have to give anyone up, so it was a great deal for a really talented young player. I think a full year next year he's got a chance to score 25-30 goals and really help the PP unit depth. I kinda wish we gave them Zherdev too!!— NYFlyersFan
I think this is a very good acquisition. Especially for the price. Versteeg was a thorn in our side last year in the finals and has a lot of potential. I hope he plays on Tuesday night against Tampa Bay.- All of you complaining about the price, hush. If Homer stood pat and we don't win in June, you'd complain that we didn't take a shot. The Flyers are loading for bear and they're going for it. The original price was a roster player and Homer told Burke to hit the bricks, Burke capitulated and took the (hopefully) 30th pick in the 1st round, and the 90th pick in the 3rd round. I love the move. The Flyers have finally stopped screwing around and are taking a shot. Let's go Flyers!— kprimo25
I like the deal mostly because I thought Versteeg was easily the most annoying Blackhawk on the ice in the finals last year. I was glad when he went to Toronto so the Flyers wouldn't face him in a rematch. The price is steep, but if they finally win the Cup it will be seen as brilliant.
Very nice.— Crayonic- I love this move a 1-3 round in this draft which is thin the possibility of either of those picks becoming the type player Versteeg is will be a long shot.he is 24 yrs old established NHL player 20 goal scorer stanleycup champ not bad.Does anyone see this also as an insurance policy incase Leino doesnt get signed before deadline. As much as i like Leino his drop passes and and losing the puck at blueline concerns me what do you guys think— rich162416flyers
- We now have four former 1st round picks in the lineup, plus Nodl (3rd round) and Powe (undrafted) when added up. That's 4-6 players choosen by the Flyers. Great balance. Nevermind the Phantoms stink. We're here for the Cup. I love you Paul Holmgrem. We remind me more of the Ducks in 2007 or Red Wings of past with fast, gritty, skilled players and a mobile defense that is also HUGE. Buckle up boys, we've got this year and maybe 2-3 more years of complete domination ahead of us.— MichaelZoe
- UncleEddie: Wow, you really don't know hockey. Lupul was part of the "party boy" crowd that included Upshall. Holmer broke up that group fast. Versteeg has something ONLY Pronger on the team has, a CUP RING. If you don't know what that means, please go read the history books. Versteeg was an active player in winning the Cup. I love Knuble and he would look great on that line, but he doesn't have a Cup, so not getting him (plus cap issues, etc.) isn't the end of the world. Versteeg gives Richie the intense linemate he needs. He also serves as insurance against Leino developments, lack of draft picks to step up, average season by JVR, potential injuries, Hartnell's up and down career, Zherdev's inability to play D, and Carter's massive contract.— MichaelZoe
- Holmer is now looking at adding a player like Ruttuu, Neil, Adam Mair or Mike Grier - someone who can ride the bench for now, but in case Car Bomb or Shelley goes down, a vet who knows the price to pay in the playoffs. They've got $500K left unless they move a player. My rumor mills says Colorado has inquired about JVR for Hejduk and draft picks. Versteeg is SO MUCH better than Cole or Stillman at this point. LOL, can you see Holmer going after Arnott so we have like 10 centers~!!!!!!!— MichaelZoe
- Prediction: Flyers only lose 2-3 games rest of the season, sweep first two playoff rounds, lose maybe 3 games total in the conf final and cup - and win the Cup!— MichaelZoe
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