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.
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