NHL Trade Deadline: Los Angeles Kings acquire Kris Versteeg from Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes have traded forward Kris Versteeg to the Los Angeles Kings
After losing out on Teddy Purcell and Justin Schultz, the Los Angeles Kings turned their attention to the other options on the trade market. One name that they kept getting linked to? Carolina Hurricanes forward Kris Versteeg. The Kings got their man as they have traded a fifth round pick and Valentin Zykov to the Hurricanes for Versteeg. Versteeg will be a free agent after this season.
Have heard it is Zykov and a conditional fifth for Versteeg. Not confirmed at this moment.
— LA Kings Insider (@lakingsinsider) February 29, 2016
Los Angeles gets precisely what they needed, as Versteeg is a versatile forward who can provide some valuable scoring depth. He fits in immediately on their second forward line but could slot in well on the first or third line depending on what the Kings want to do. Versteeg has 33 points (11 goals and 22 assists) in 62 games this season. Despite playing the second most minutes at even strength for the Hurricanes this season, Versteeg still had the fourth highest points per 60 minutes at even strength among Carolina’s forwards.
He also had the second best even strength Corsi For percentage among Hurricanes forwards. Versteeg should add quality scoring and puck possession to a team that figures to be playing well into the month of June. Carolina gets back Valentin Zykov for Versteeg. They acquired him for virtually nothing back in September so anything that they got back for the upcoming unrestricted free agent is just icing on the cake. Zykov is a forward prospect who has 14 points in 43 games this season in the AHL.