The Carolina Hurricanes have added another trade to their Sunday activity, moving Kris Versteeg to the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings will send Valentin Zykov to the ‘Canes as well as give up a conditional 5th round draft pick.
Acquired in September 2015 in a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks that also brought Joakim Nordstrom to Carolina, Versteeg has 11 goals and 22 assists in 63 games this season. He has been a very positive veteran presence in the Hurricane’s locker room.
Versteeg is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. He has been a part of two Blackhawks teams that have won the Stanley Cup.
The 20-year old Zykov is playing for the Ontario Reign in the OHL, and has 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points in 43 games this season. Zykov was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Kings.
The trade gives insight as to what Hurricanes GM Ron Francis is looking for, young offensive skill players. Zykov and Aleksi Saarela of Finland who was part of the ‘Canes return for Eric Staal in their deal with the New York Rangers are both young, potentially prolific goal-scorers.
It is widely known that the Kings need some help at the forward position, particularly with Marian Gaborik out due to injury. Versteeg brings help to the Kings up top. He is however, distinguished in the NHL for his success on another level:
Not many players can make an entire NHL career out of being a rental player, but Kris Versteeg pulls it off nicely.
— zac (@raining_thots) February 29, 2016
For more on the NHL Trade Deadline, stick with The Hockey Writers by checking out the official THW Deadline Day page.
