Welcome Back Kris Versteeg

[gmalis1]

The Blackhawks have acquired Kris Versteeg from the Florida Panthers. The Hawks have sent defenseman Dylan Olson and winger Jimmy Hayes to the Panthers in exchange for Versteeg.

Versteeg will fill a large void on wing, presumably on the third line. Versteeg, a member of the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Championship team, has very good speed. But he was frequently in Coach Quenneville's doghouse and a healthy scratch many a game due to his penchance for turnovers and lackadaisical defensive play.

Should be an interesting fit for the Hawks once again.

I was at the game tonight versus the Coyotes. Jeremy Morin isn't ready for prime time yet, and may never be. He was awful. Tentative on both ends of the ice. I'm assuming he's back to Rockford as soon as Versteeg gets here.

And my condolences to both Olson and Hayes. Although either or both might get a chance to play full time with the Panthers, they are a terrible team. Nothing like getting traded to an awful team. Good luck to both of them.

 

[gmalis1]

And no sooner after I posted the above, Jeremy Morin and Alex Broadhurst (recalled earlier today from Rockford) were sent back to the AHL Ice Hogs.

Oh, and as a follow up to my previous post, Versteeg must think he just won the lottery. Back on a Stanley Cup favorite. Strange twist of fate.

 

[gmalis1]

Someone explain to me how the Hawks can absorb Versteeg's $2.2 million salary, which puts them about $262,000 over the cap.

I know that Michael Handzus and Michael Kostka were put on long term injured reserve effective a few weeks ago. Does that mean that their cap hit doesn't count while on LITR?

 

[JBM73]

The Panthers will be paying 1/2 of Versteeg's remaining salary.

Kris Versteeg traded to Chicago Blackhawks from Florida Panthers - ESPN Chicago

 

[JBM73]

I know that Michael Handzus and Michael Kostka were put on long term injured reserve effective a few weeks ago. Does that mean that their cap hit doesn't count while on LITR?

Hockey 101: Long Term Injury Reserve (LTIR) - Fear The Fin

 

[JBM73]

I love the trade. I was no fan of Olsen and Hayes, who I don't see becoming quality NHL players. Here's a little more on Philippe Lefebvre:

Hockey's Future - Philippe Lefebvre

 

[anotheridiot]

Its clear that Q wants to limit the kids to one per season. I dont know about morin being tenative, every time I see him he is getting the puck to the net with a hard shot that is producing alot of loose change around the net. But really, Versteeg, another defensively challenged forward?

Hayes has talent you cannot teach, size and he can skate and will hopefully get a chance at a career now. He was a really good insurance policy for bickell going down with injury, just like Morin is insurance if Kane is gone long term.

Well, any move that keeps Brookbank off a forward line has got to be a positive, I just thought he would have traded for a pk specialist.

 

[gmalis1]

I dispute the idea that Hayes and Morin could be replacements for Bickell and Kane.

The talent level just isn 't there for either.

Considering the Panthers are eating 1/2 of Versteeg's salary for the next three years, this winds up being a bargain for the Hawks.

You don't replace an offensive force like Patrick Kane. Period. And Morin isn't one tenth the player/playmaker Kane is. Teurovainen might come close on another year or two.

I didn't like Morin's play at all. He looked tentative and overmatched on both ends. Didn't impress me at all.

Same for Hayes when he was with the Hawks. Big body Bickell type but no physical enough, not a strong skater, not a great shot and not great defensively. A marginal NHLer at best.

Seems like the Hawks prospects at the mid upper level aren't progressing to that NHL ready level.

I'm not sure Brandon Pirri is quite there either. Tough to make that next step to the NHL.

Anyways, I'm guessing Q is penciling Versteeg in on third line right wing. That should solve that problem and stop having Q double shift Kane on that line.

 

[JBM73]

Seems like the Hawks prospects at the mid upper level aren't progressing to that NHL ready level.

Agreed. The Hawks tend to overrate their own prospects.

 

[JBM73]

Blackhawks' Brandon Pirri not satisfied with just offensive heroics - ESPN Chicago

 

[anotheridiot]

Well, I never thought anyone would think that I claim Morin is as good as Kane or Hayes have all the skills of Bickell. Its replacing the body size and offensive game, the type of player. Kane is better on defense, but is never gonna be a PK guy until 6 consecutive power plays. Kane is all offense, Morin is also all offense. Hayes is a big body like buff and bickell did in their two playoffs.

All the hawks want is pucks to the net, well Morin got 5 shots off in 7 minutes, almost scored on a wrap around. If he played 12 minutes the hawks would have gotten 60 shots off.

I dont know what the Pirri problem is, guy scores two goals on an excellent redirect and the game winner in the shootout and he doesnt have an nhl game.

I hope it works out for Olsen and Hayes. Dale Tallon really likes to get ex hawks.

 

[anotheridiot]

Agreed. The Hawks tend to overrate their own prospects.

I dont think they over rate their prospects, I mean look at Ben Smith. After the 2010 cup win you thought for sure he would have been on the team in 2011. He really did well in the playoffs, but nothing. I dont really know if there are any over rated prospects for the hawks. The fans expect more than the coach it seems. If you dont show up and make a huge impression right away you are gonna be riding the bus alot and eventually be traded when you cant be sent back down. If it builds the team that keeps winning the western conference, I guess it works. but when Kane and Toews need to get their bumps, you are gonna need more development.

I dont know, you almost wonder how efficient rockfords staff is if they cant get guys ready for the next level.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Darn it, they traded Jimmy Hayes to get him. Doobster plays AHL teams on NHL 14 and the Hayes was one of the go to guys for the IceHogs in the game. Just hope they don't trade Adam Clendenning, he's my favorite IceHog in the game.

 

[gmalis1]

I'm not saying Pirri didn't have a nice game last night. He had a good deflection and a nice move in the shootout.

By his own admission, he stated that it wasn't his best game and he has a lot of improvement to do. Most of that is defensively. The guy can shoot. That's a known fact. He has good hands and a way of finding the open spot in the net. But, can he win faceoffs? Can he be a reliable two way player, which you have to be as the second line center?

He'll improve. He's still learning the game, and being thrown in as the second line center puts full focus on him. If he was the fourth line center (which is possible that Kruger and him MIGHT switch spots), he could get away with a little more slack. But I like his offensive upside versus his defensive downside. The problem is he plays with Patrick Kane, who is really a defensive liability.

Not so worried about Pirri or Smith. Was very worried about Morin. Looked like he was playing at a skill level below the NHL, which is exactly where he is at now.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

I love this move. Versteeg adds another skilled guy and more experience.

 

[averagejoe]

Love the Versteeg trade. Welcome back, Kris. Besides Buff, was sad to see him go.

 

[gmalis1]

My only concern with Kris Versteeg is that he is coming off a torn ACL last season. Other than that, he will be a very good upgrade at right wing on the third line.

And, as Q stated today, he can be put in all situations, including power play and penalty kill. If he's healthy enough, he should be a really nice addition to the team.

And looking from his reception from his teammates at practice, they are happy to have him back...and he is THRILLED to be back.

 

[Baseballnut77]

While I like bringing versteeg back I hate that once again we giveup on to upper level prospects to do this deal. You can complain about hayes not being up to snuff but bickell and buff were not either until they were given a solid chance not just a game here or a game there. Olsen will be a solid D-man and probably pretty soon. The only good part of this deal for me is at least hayes and olsen will not be able to grow their games at the nhl level instead of the good ol Q scratch and sniff tests of his prospects. Really looks to me like Q will just continue on with any veteran he can plug in on a yearly basis until kane and toews are in their 30's and then he will ride off into the sunset and leave an aging team on to someone else

 

[Baseballnut77]

Will now be able to grow their games***

 

[anotheridiot]

Will now be able to grow their games***

I agree. Dale Tallon keeps ties to his roots and eventually is gonna get some great players that cant find the ice with the hawks. That being said, we will eventually lose out on a cheap great player.

I guess the hawks are gambling that the cap is gonna get up to 70 million. I think there are enough teams like Florida to keep that from happening, unless their floor stays at 49.