Posts Tagged ‘Kris Versteeg’

Trade reaction: Versteeg to Toronto

July 1st, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Versteeg hoists the Cup (Getty Images/Jim McIsaac)

On the eve of free agency, Stan Bowman pulled another ace from his sleeve. He sent winger Kris Versteeg and prospect Billy Sweatt to the Maple Leafs. In return the Blackhawks got 24-year old winger Viktor Stalberg and prospects Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis. Of the three newest ‘Hawks, only Stalberg has previous NHL experience (40 games).

Like the Byfuglien trade, this one won’t sit well with some of the newer Blackhawk fans, but the trade was made in the best interest of the organization. Bowman was able to free up some cap-space by moving Versteeg, and he was able to add player depth in the system. Also, as I wrote last week, the Blackhawks had no intention of signing Sweatt to an entry-level contract.

Unlike the Byfuglien trade, this one is a little bitter-sweet. Versteeg was a good teammate, and hustle every second he was out of the ice surface. He’s a skilled player and has decent playmaking ability from the wing. Still, anyone with any sort of hockey sense knew Versteeg was going to be moved this summer. It was a matter of when, not if. Realistically, the 24-year old winger is a borderline top-six forward whose talent level peaked in his rookie season. No one will miss the turnovers he caused because of the bad passes, and his inability to get rid of the puck in a timely manner.

With the free agent frenzy a matter of hours away, Bowman and company won’t be major players. But the most recent move ensures that restricted free agents (RFAs) Antti Niemi, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Andrew Ladd will be re-signed. Assuming new acquisition Viktor Stalberg is on the Blackhawks roster come fall, the front office saved (Versteeg’s $3,083,333 – Stalberg’s $850,000) $2,233,333 more off the 2010-11 payroll. The ‘Hawks have 13 players locked up at $51,181,337, and are now $8,218,663 under the salary cap ($59,400,000).

If you’re keeping score at home, there have been reports that roughly $4 million of cap space will be deducted from the Blackhawk payroll because of the performance bonuses given to Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews in the playoffs. I guess that’s the price of success.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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Dale moves on, legacy alive and well in Chicago

May 18th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

It was July 14, 2009 when Dale Tallon was removed as the Blackhawks general manager in favor of Stan Bowman. Tallon quietly served as a senior adviser of hockey operations to the Blackhawks this year. Yesterday, Tallon was hired as general manager of the Florida Panthers. With the way his tenure as general manager ended in Chicago, I’m pleased to see him get another gig with the Panthers. As the Blackhawks play Game #2 of the Western Conference Finals in San Jose tonight, we should remember that Dale is the true architect of this team. Not John McDonough or little Stan Bowman, and the guys in the locker room know this.

Jonathan Toews said this of Dale Tallon yesterday:

“…when I talk to him I always remind him we’re in here thinking about him and we don’t forget the contributions he’s made to this team and this locker room.”

Before Tallon became the general manager in 2005, he spent over twenty years in the organization as a player, in the booth as a broadcaster (radio and television) and in other front office duties. The legacy he will most will remembered for is drafting Jonathan Toews third overall in 2006 and Patrick Kane first overall in 2007. I’ll remember Tallon for his keen eye for talent. Great examples of this ability can be seen in the trades to bring in Patrick Sharp (from Philadelphia for Matt Ellison and 3rd round draft pick) and Kris Versteeg (from Boston for Brandon Bochenski), selected Niklas Hjalmarsson in the 4th round (108th overall) of the 2005 draft and brought in Antti Niemi from Finland in 2008..

The Chicago Blackhawks became a desired location for players because of Dale Tallon. The free agent acquisition of Marian Hossa last summer is a terrific example of the turnaround the franchise experienced four years after Tallon became general manager. Four years ago, a player with the caliber of Hossa would never think about signing with the Blackhawks. Back then the Blackhawks were arguably the worst organization in the NHL, but last November Forbes rated them as the seventh most valuable team in the league. Tallon built a team worth watching in Chicago. A team John McDonough could sell to the masses.

Before the 2008-09-season, McDonough brought hockey legend Scotty Bowman into the fold. Scotty was the father of then assistant general manager Stan Bowman. It was a matter of time before Tallon was shown the door, and management patiently waited for the chance to remove Dale as general manager. That opportunity came last summer when qualifying offers to restricted free agents (Versteeg, Barker, Brouwer, etc.) were improperly filled. It’s a job that general managers don’t carry out, but it happened under Dale’s watch. He took the blame, cleaned up the mess and was removed as general manager days later. Little Stan Bowman was promoted.

There were reports stating that McDonough and Tallon butt heads often regarding who was really steering the ship, and that McDonough resented the attention Tallon received for building a team that made it to the Western Conference Finals last year. Through it all, Dale Tallon was nothing less than a class act. Although it isn’t entirely his fault, Tallon will get most of the blame for the impending off-season salary-cap issues.

Good luck in Florida, Dale.

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Ding Dong Tkachuk Is Gone! – Blackhawks 6, Blues 5

April 8th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Leader of the knuckle-draggers, Cam Janssen

That Blackhawks reached another milestone last night. The 6-5 victory over the delightful St. Louis Blues gave the Blackhawks a total of 109 points this season, which is a new franchise record with two more games left to play. The organization’s previous high came in the 1970-71 and 1971-72 seasons at 107 points. This year’s squad can add to the total with two more games to be played this season.

Anyways, it’s always a pleasure to have the Blues grace us with a visit to the UC. How can anyone NOT love the Blues’ merry band of knuckle-draggers? (Sarcasm is always the highest form of humor). The best news from last night, however, was Keith Tkachuck’s retirement announcement. Yep, this blogger danced in the streets and howled at the moon. My favorite Tkachuk career moment took place this season – when he scored a goal with his face against the Blachkaws January 2nd. Too bad my boy Troy Brouwer and Tomas Kopecky couldn’t be the lineup for the festivities. Brouwer was attending to a personal matter, and Kopecky was sidelined the oh-so vague ‘upper-body’ injury.

The game itself didn’t start well for the Blackhawks. The Blues scored first, but the ‘Hawks were able to rattle off six un-answered goals in the first and second periods to take the 6-1 lead. A few unusual suspects were able to get in on the scoring. Duncan Keith struck first, then Ben Eager scored moments after leaving the penalty box and Bryan Bickell scored his third of the season. Kris Versteeg scored his nineteenth and the team’s thirteenth shorthanded goal of the season. Versteeg had three assists too. Andrew Ladd and Jordan Hendry finished off the scoring with a goal each.

In the third period, the Blackhawks sat back and let the Blues get back into this one. The Blues’ are known for playing dirty (well, at least against the Blackhawks), and that style of play was epitomized when Brad Winchester ran Marian Hossa into the boards. As the game went on the officiating didn’t step in, and the Blackhawks let the central division foe get under their skin. The shoddy play that the Blackhawks exuded at the end of the game culminated at the moment Dustin Byfuglien slashed Andy McDonald on a breakaway with under a minute left to play. Byfuglien’s actions resulted in a penalty shot (Brad Boyes scored to make it 6-5) and received a game misconduct. The Blackhawks held on to win.

Coach Qunneville has to have his team playing smarter hockey. There is the obvious excuse of fatigue in the second game of a back-to-back, but I won’t buy it. The Blackhawks can’t let themselves lower to the Blues’ game. It’s absolutely pathetic that Davis Payne (head coach) lets his team resort to mass-goonery when they are outmatched. As ugly as this game got, however, I will always relish a victory over any team from St. Louis.

Next up, the Blackhawks will match-up against the playoff bound Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. Hossa left the game in the first period after the hit, but hopefully it was a precautionary move. Quenneville believes Kopecky won’t miss any significant time with his injury, but the outlook isn’t as good for Kim Johnsson after suffering a concussion weeks ago. The verdict is still out on his eventual return to the lineup.

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Blackhawks 2, Devils 1 (SO)

April 3rd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Kane's oral fixation

I’m a little less worried about the state of Coach Quenneville’s squad after last night’s 2-1 (SO) victory over the New Jersey Devils. He played Dustin Byfuglien on the blue line and trotted out the same line combinations he used a few days ago in Minnesota. I hope we’ve seen the last of Quenneville’s constant line shuffling after winning two games in a row. With five games left in the regular season it’s too late to make any more major alterations.

Anyway, Antti Niemi played a tight game in New Jersey last night. He played like a goalie that can carry a team through the playoffs. The only Devil goal was a result of a defensive breakdown in front of the net, and Ilya Kovalchuk had himself an easy goal for his fortieth of the season. Niemi saved thirty-two of thirty-three shots on goal, and came up big over and over again. He kept his team in this game.

With under a minute left in the third period, Niemi was pulled from goal for the extra skater. The move paid off. Kris Versteeg tied the game at 1-1, and it went into overtime then a shootout. Jonathan Toews blasted a shot past Martin Brodeur, and that was all the Blackhawks needed to come away with two points.

Next up, the Blackhawks will host the Calgary Flames at the UC this Easter Sunday.

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Versteeg Earns Milkshake: Blackhawks 4, Stars 3 (SO)

February 10th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Versteeg and Ladd about to hug it out after shootout victory

Attempting to watch a hockey game at my girlfriend’s place usually goes over well, but I think the long season is starting to take a toll on her. A show about of some vapid housewives located in the continental United States was on. She already saw that episode two times, but apparently she had to watch it again. After a minute or two of bickering, I was able to put the game on. Chalk one up for me.

Now, I wouldn’t put it past her, but well into the first period I think she started to distract me on purpose. She proceeded to tell me about her day and asked about our plans for Valentine’s Day. How dare she. Everything else takes a backseat to hockey, right? I doubt it bothered her one bit that my gaze was diverted from the television when Patrick Kane scored his two goals in the period. Not much happened in the second period, but by the third she fell asleep on the couch next to me.

The Blackhawks took the lead early in the third period when my boy Troy Brouwer scored his eighteenth goal of the season. Marian Hossa shot wide of the net, and the puck bounced off the boards right to Brouwer. As a result Marty Turco was out of position, and Brouwer scored with relative ease. Later in the period Loui Eriksson tied the game at 3-3 for Dallas. Our Norris caliber defenseman, Duncan Keith, provided no resistance in front of the net as he watched Dallas find the open man to beat Antti Niemi. So, off to overtime they went.

Halfway through the extra period Keith was called for hooking, and the Blackhawks were down four men to three for two minutes. The penalty kill has been great this season, but the ‘Hawks already surrendered a goal while down a man in the first period last night. Due to the solid play of Niemi and Brent Sopel, the Blackhawks kept the Stars scoreless to take the game to a shootout.

By this time my girlfriend woke up and immediately made some snide remark about the game going into yet another shootout. It took five rounds for either team to finally score when Kris Versteeg (her favorite player for some reason) beat Turco to win the game. Someone should go out and buy him a milkshake. The Blackhawks defeated the Stars 4-3 (SO), and the game was over. Chalk one up for her.

Next up, the Blackhawks will host the Kovalchuk-less Atlanta Thrashers at the United Center on Saturday. Coach Quenneville will relish the three-day layoff so some of his guys can get some rest. Ben Eager is day-to-day with a ‘lower-body’ injury, and Colin Fraser and John Madden left last night’s game early with injuries as well.

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Dave Bolland’s Return To The Lineup

February 2nd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The word is that Dave Bolland will play tomorrow night against the Blues. According to Chris Kuc, Bolland lined up with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa during practice this afternoon. Sharp did a solid job filling in at pivot, but will move over to the wing to make room for a more conventional center in Bolland.

Of course, now that Bolland is back there will be some speculation into who is the odd man out. That’s where I come in – to offer my two cents on the matter as if I actually know what I’m talking about. The Blackhawks haven’t had a healthy-scratch at forward since Jordan Hendry replaced Tomas Kopecky on the fourth line on December 15th. So, whom will Coach Quenneville bestow the honor upon?

Bolland’s return will push Andrew Ladd off the second line, and will likely find a home on the third line with John Madden and either Dustin Byfuglien or Kris Versteeg. Going off style of play and size, Versteeg simply doesn’t fit the mold of a fourth liner, but Byfuglien does.

Ladd did leave practice early with a ‘lower-body’ injury, but should be ready for tomorrow’s game. Should we read more into this? Nope, but my inner conspiracy theorist would like to think otherwise.

Anyway, this is always a good problem to have – too much capable talent. If I had to guess, Coach Quenneville would sit Colin Fraser. Kopecky has energized the fourth line with his play of late and can play center. Ben Eager has some offensive skill, and can be an affective instigator. Fraser is a decent player that sees some time on the penalty kill, but doesn’t provide much of a physical game. When it comes to fisticuffs, he can’t hold his own.

What will be interesting is what will happen to the lineup when Adam Burish returns. He skated at today’s practice as well. Will Stan Bowman opt to move a forward for some depth on defense, or stand pat and send someone to Rockford?

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Niedermayer Is All The Rage

January 21st, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

A few weeks ago ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun mentioned Ilya Kovalchuk and the Chicago Blackhawks in the same breath. Like any other good blogger would, I ran with a rumor that had no validity to it whatsoever. Since LeBrun reported that the Blackhawks could make a play for the Russian sniper’s services, every other team in the league has been linked to Kovalchuk.

I bring this up because in my poorly written post regarding the Kovalchuk to Chicago rumor, I named Scott Niedermayer as a possible target for the same reason acquiring Kovalchuk would work. Stan Bowman would be able to shed a few multi-year contracts in order to ease the off-season payroll issue now for a veteran, ‘superstar’ defenseman. His contract expires at the end of this season, and he would bolster the roster for the playoffs.

Sam Fels of Second City Hockey mentioned in a post yesterday that he likes the idea of trading for the Ducks’ defenseman. Niedermayer would provide some depth on the blue line, and could play on the power play. He suggests moving Cam Barker and an expendable forward (Dustin Byfuglien or Kris Versteeg) back to Anaheim. None of which will be back with the Blackhawks next season anyway. The depth at forward wouldn’t be depleted since Dave Bolland and Adam Burish are close to returning.

I like where Fels is going with this, and can easily get behind any idea that would move Byfuglien elsewhere. Barker hasn’t been all that great this season either. He hasn’t even seen a substantial amount of time on the power-play recently. If a draft pick is needed to sweeten the deal, I’m all for it.

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Will Kovalchuk Be A Blackhawk?

January 4th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN cited that an anonymous Western Conference executive said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Blackhawks became serious players for Ilya Kovalchuk’s services. He mentions that Kovalchuk would solely be a rental, and the Blackhawks would be able to alleviate the off-season payroll issues now by moving a few players with multi-year contracts.

Red Rising’s Take: LeBrun mentions Cam Barker and Kris Versteeg in his blog entry as possible pieces going back to Atlanta for Kovalchuk. The Trashers would want more and could get more in return for the Russian sniper via trade. It would be the ultimate wet dream to see Kovalchuk don the Indian Head, but I just don’t see the Blackhawks making a realistic play for him.

The idea of taking care of the off-season payroll problems prior to the end of the season is something that doesn’t need to be done. Right now the Blackhawks are playing their best hockey of the season, so why try to improve/fix something that isn’t broken?

It’s an idea that has surfaced a few times on various intranet rumor mills, but not often is it a player of Kovalchuk’s caliber mentioned. It’s usually someone of the same ilk of Matt Cullen, and Stan Bowman should avoid trades such as Cullen for Barker just to shed money from next year’s payroll. Yet, if it were for a player like Kovalchuk or Scott Niedermayer – both in the last year of their contracts and are ‘superstars’ – it would be hard for Bowman to pass on the opportunity to bolster an already potent lineup.

Kovalchuk (or Niedermayer) as a Blackhawk is an interesting notion. In all likelihood Bowman will go into the playoffs with the roster as is. Remember, Dave Bolland and Adam Burish should be back by the end of February, and those two should be able to provide enough firepower.

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Blackhawks 5, Ducks 2

January 4th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Antti Niemi was minutes away from earning his fifth shutout of the season, but he let in two meaningless goals to Petteri Nokelainen in the third period of the 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Niemi was solid for the majority of the game, however. He came up with the saves he needed to make, and sparked the rush leading to the Blackhawks first goal. Niemi was able to recover in time – after being out of position – to his left side to stop a Corey Perry snapshot. Moments later Kris Versteeg deked once to his right and beat J.S. Giguere.

Patrick Kane had a productive night setting up Troy Brouwer and Jonathan Toews for two can’t miss goals. Each time Kane came from behind the net to find both of his line mates in great position to score. He’s done well starting out from behind the opposing team’s net to either make a great pass to an open man, or snipe a shot past the goalie. Kane is also in the middle of an eight-game point streak.

Extending his own point streak to three games, Marian Hossa scored two goals on the evening. Maybe it’s just me, but his play looks effortless. Hossa’s first goal was calmly squeezed one past Giguere with a shot that didn’t leave the ice. His second goal was possible because of the screen of Giguere by Andrew Ladd and Patrick Sharp. Hossa shot at a wide-open left side to score.

Keeping with the theme of streaks, the Blackhawks have scored on the power play for the seventh straight game. During that stretch they have gone eight of twenty-five (32%) with the man-advantage. With the ‘Hawks up 5-0, Coach Quenneville opted to use the fourth line on the power play. It’s not the first time he’s done it this season, but it just shows the level of class Quenneville has.

Next up, the Blackhawks will host Martin Havlat and the Minnesota Wild.

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Blackhawks Get First Crack At Blues In The Payne Era

January 2nd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The last time the Blackhawks played the Blues head coach Andy Murray let things get a little dirty. St. Louis was on the loosing end of a 3-0 shutout, and Murray unleashed Barrett Jackman and company on the ‘Hawks. Tonight’s game should be different in that the Blues brass canned Murray this morning, and Davis Payne will take over behind the bench as interim head coach.

He is a virtual unknown to the general hockey fan, but Payne has an ECHL Championship (2006) on his resume. He was previously the head coach of their AHL affiliate the Peoria Rivermen (19-13-1-2). The Blackhawks should be licking their lips at the opportunity to face the Blues in the first game of the Payne era.

Coach Quenneville has turned the team’s scoring woes around since the demotion of Kris Versteeg to the third line on December 13th. The ‘Hawks have only scored less then three goals in the ten games after the lines were shuffled only one time – with an 8-2-0 record. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have seen their point production rise significantly since my boy Troy Brouwer joined the two on the first line – replacing Versteeg.

The recent success with the man-advantage can also be attributed to the increase in overall scoring. In the last five games the ‘Hawks have scored with the man-advantage at least once a game, thus bringing the power play unit’s percentage is up to 20.3.

Lineup notes – Niklas Hjalmarsson didn’t make the trip to St. Louis, so Jordan Hendry should be paired with Brian Campbell.

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