You are not logged in. Please register or login.
- Topics: Active | Unanswered
Re: 2010-2011 NHL Season
Free Agent Frenzy starts today so figured it would be as good of day as any to start a new thread
Toronto picked up Versteeg from the Hawks last night in a five player deal
TORONTO -- The Chicago Blackhawks unloaded another key player from their Stanley Cup-winning roster Wednesday night, sending right-winger Kris Versteeg to Toronto in a five-player deal.
The Maple Leafs also acquired the rights to left-winger Bill Sweatt in exchange for forwards Viktor Stalberg, Christopher DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis.
The trade came just hours before the start of the NHL's free agency period. It helps Chicago in its effort to get under the US$59.4-million salary cap for next season, while the Leafs get a much-needed offensive boost without giving up a key player from their roster.
Versteeg, 24, recorded 44 points (20 goals 24 assists) in 79 regular-season games for the Blackhawks. He added 14 points (six goals eight assists) in 22 post-season games.
The deal came a week after Chicago shipped playoff star Dustin Byfuglien to Atlanta along with Brent Sopel and Ben Eager. The Blackhawks also recently shipped Colin Fraser to Edmonton.
Led by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the Blackhawks beat Philadelphia for their first Stanley Cup title since 1961. Chicago had one of the deepest rosters in the league last season but changes were expected this off-season due to cap issues.
"I've been trying to warn our fans that this team that we've fallen in love with isn't going to stay the same," general manager Stan Bowman said on a conference call. "But no championship team does. It's kind of the nature of the world that we're in.
"We're doing the best we can to keep our core together."
Kane and Toews signed contract extensions in December while Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet are also signed to lucrative long-term deals.
Over parts of the last three seasons with Chicago, Versteeg has 101 points (44 goals 57 assists) and 96 penalty minutes in 170 regular-season games.
Bowman said Versteeg really blossomed over the last year.
"He can play really across the board in terms of penalty killing, power play," Bowman said. "A very versatile player, he's got a good attitude, he works hard."
Of the three players going to Chicago, Stalberg is the best bet to crack the Blackhawks' roster.
He had 14 points (nine goals five assists) in 40 games with the Leafs last season, his first in the NHL. The 24-year-old added 33 points (12 goals 21 assists) in 39 games with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.
Paradis, 19, spent the last three seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He had 44 points (24 goals 20 assists) in 63 games last season.
DiDomenico, 21, had 22 points (seven goals 15 assists) in 12 regular-season games with the QMJHL's Drummondville Voltigeurs. He added 21 points (seven goals 14 assists) in 14 post-season games.
"We've got a plethora of very good players," Bowman said. "But in order to maintain your level as a very good team, you've got to have young players to fill in around those."
Sweatt, 21, was selected with the 38th overall pick of the 2007 NHL entry draft. He has completed four seasons at Colorado College and has 109 points (46 goals 63 assists) in 143 NCAA games.
Re: 2010-2011 NHL Season
Yeah, the cap. Seven players gone. Of course, they are all 3rd and 4th liners except Buff and Kris, but they all had key moments. My buddies tell me not to worry because the Hawks are stacked in the draft and in the minors, but it sucks to see them go.
Also, Niemi will want a raise and they were over last year's cap and we're penalized. Playoff incentives put them over. Toews had like a $1.4M finals MVP clause, and he actually got it.
- Communist China
- Rep: 130
Re: 2010-2011 NHL Season
I guess Kovy was the big name free agent but I can't say I'd really want him in Buffalo, just because of the system we play, and a lot of other teams seemed to feel the same way. Jersey isn't a good fit for him this year, so yeah it's just a boring sign.
- Communist China
- Rep: 130
Re: 2010-2011 NHL Season
Yeah I don't really understand why either party would want that. He's going to have to forfeit a lot of that money right, because there's no way he has more than 10 years left in him?
I'm surprised any team would be willing to make such a long deal for a veteran, and now I understand why LA got out of the bidding. It's not a good sign.
