Tonight around 6pm, TSN.CA's Bob McKenzie broke the news via Twitter that the Flyers had traded 2 draft picks in the 2011 NHL Entry draft to the Toronto Maple leafs in exchange for 24 year old RW Kris Versteeg.
Flyers' fans are familiar with the 5'10 180 pound winger from last year's Stanley Cup finals when Versteeg tallied 5 points and was a +3 in 6 games as a key member of the World Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Following the season the Lethbridge Alberta native was shipped north of the border to the Leafs as the Hawks roster was decimated in order to fit within the construct of the NHL's 2011-12 salary cap.
Versteeg, in my opinion is very much a core type player. Dont be fooled by the fact that he has moved around a bit here in the last year. As I mentioned, Chicago was in a unique predicament and his departure was due to his cap hit of 3.083 million and not his abilities. As for why Toronto would part ways with him? My guess would be that Leafs G.M. Brian Burke has some other moves he would like to make and adding the 1st and 3rd round picks from the Flyers to his arsenal were too good to pass up. The Leafs aren't going anywhere this year and Versteeg's talents were being wasted there anyway. The Leafs are in dire need of a superstar and to be quite honest, their fans deserve it. This deal and the assets they have added may just help them toward that end.
Now, as for why Kris Versteeg is worth 2 high draft picks...He is a very skilled and talented 2-way forward capable of playing both on the power play and the penalty kill units. As I mentioned previously, he is only 24 years old, that along with his skill set and versatilty very much fits in with the nucleus of this Flyers team. Also this is no rental situation. He is under contract through the 2011-12 season and will still only be eligible for restricted free agent status after that. Meaning he would still remain under Flyers control beyond next season if the oraganization so chooses.
This season while playing for the lowly Leafs he posted 14 goals, 21 assists in 53 games and projects for 21 goal 31 assist season. Throw out his -13 on a bad Toronto squad as he is a career +22 player otherwise. He also plays the game with an edge that Philly fans will enjoy.
If you can't tell by now, I am very much in favor of this move. I have liked Versteeg for some time and am thrilled to finally get the opportunity to see him in a Philadelphia sporting his #32 sweater. I m exited not just because of who Versteeg is as a player but because I really believe that he, moreso than any player available, will fit perfectly onto this roster and into this locker room.
Ahh...#32...Murray Craven...Daniel Lacroix...Kris Versteeg. Anybody got any other former Flyers' number 32's?
Flyers' fans are familiar with the 5'10 180 pound winger from last year's Stanley Cup finals when Versteeg tallied 5 points and was a +3 in 6 games as a key member of the World Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Following the season the Lethbridge Alberta native was shipped north of the border to the Leafs as the Hawks roster was decimated in order to fit within the construct of the NHL's 2011-12 salary cap.
Versteeg, in my opinion is very much a core type player. Dont be fooled by the fact that he has moved around a bit here in the last year. As I mentioned, Chicago was in a unique predicament and his departure was due to his cap hit of 3.083 million and not his abilities. As for why Toronto would part ways with him? My guess would be that Leafs G.M. Brian Burke has some other moves he would like to make and adding the 1st and 3rd round picks from the Flyers to his arsenal were too good to pass up. The Leafs aren't going anywhere this year and Versteeg's talents were being wasted there anyway. The Leafs are in dire need of a superstar and to be quite honest, their fans deserve it. This deal and the assets they have added may just help them toward that end.
Now, as for why Kris Versteeg is worth 2 high draft picks...He is a very skilled and talented 2-way forward capable of playing both on the power play and the penalty kill units. As I mentioned previously, he is only 24 years old, that along with his skill set and versatilty very much fits in with the nucleus of this Flyers team. Also this is no rental situation. He is under contract through the 2011-12 season and will still only be eligible for restricted free agent status after that. Meaning he would still remain under Flyers control beyond next season if the oraganization so chooses.
This season while playing for the lowly Leafs he posted 14 goals, 21 assists in 53 games and projects for 21 goal 31 assist season. Throw out his -13 on a bad Toronto squad as he is a career +22 player otherwise. He also plays the game with an edge that Philly fans will enjoy.
If you can't tell by now, I am very much in favor of this move. I have liked Versteeg for some time and am thrilled to finally get the opportunity to see him in a Philadelphia sporting his #32 sweater. I m exited not just because of who Versteeg is as a player but because I really believe that he, moreso than any player available, will fit perfectly onto this roster and into this locker room.
Ahh...#32...Murray Craven...Daniel Lacroix...Kris Versteeg. Anybody got any other former Flyers' number 32's?
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