Kris Versteeg is an NHL free agent once again. Per Darren Dreger, Versteeg dealt with insurance complications after signing with Bern in the Swiss League and is expected to return back to North America soon. Dreger also mentioned that Versteeg is currently fully healthy, but the hip surgery he underwent four years ago could have something to do with the complications.
Kris Versteeg is about to be a free agent again. Due to insurance complications Versteeg is expected to return to North America this week.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 5, 2016
The 30-year-old Versteeg has skated in 550 NHL games, making appearances with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Los Angeles Kings. In his career, he has scored 131 goals and 313 points and won two Stanley Cups, both while playing for the Chicago Blackhawks (although during different stints with the team).
Last season, Versteeg played for the Carolina Hurricanes prior to being traded to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline. In 77 games split between the two clubs, Versteeg scored 15 goals and 38 points. It’s unclear if Versteeg will receive a straight-up contract offer from NHL clubs, but he could be in line for a professional tryout offer from a team looking to see what he still has to give. With over a decade of NHL experience, it shouldn’t be hard for Versteeg to find a team looking for a veteran to add to a preseason roster.