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Should the Islanders try to sign Kris Versteeg?

So it's not likely -- like pretty much every unrestricted free agent dream this summer -- but it's still tempting to fantasize: Could the Islanders sign the suddenly available Kris Versteeg away from the Blackhawks?

Versteeg is a very skilled left wing; the Islanders' depth chart cries out for left wings. Versteeg is very young (23), the Islanders are building with youth. But one of the reasons to build with youth in a salary cap world is that they are cost-controlled and, hopefully, underpaid relative to production. Should he indeed hit the market, as an unrestricted free agent with many suitors, Versteeg would no longer be underpaid -- and he might even be overpaid, given the market's generosity and his rather short track record.


GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2008 - Kris Versteeg 78 22 31 53 15 55 6 4 3 0 139 15.8

A rookie of the year finalist this past season, Versteeg is one of the "Chicago Six" who GM Dale Tallon may have inadvertently made free agents by not delivering their qualifying offers by the CBA-mandated deadline. As of this posting, five have signed with the Hawks anyway, but Versteeg has not -- and you know that the NHLPA, by filing a grievance, is hoping he proceeds as if he's a UFA.

Star-divide

The Hawks are approaching a salary cap bind thanks in part to the addition of Marian Hossa, have more important core youngsters to extend in the coming seasons, and might not have room if Versteeg is indeed declared an unrestricted free agent. For that reason, Second City Hockey thinks he may be as good as gone.

Versteeg had a hot start last year, which kept him in the Calder race all year long. As did mesmerizing hands like these:

Versteeg's cooling off coincided with a move to center -- but the Islanders don't need centers. They need left wings. Versteeg's 22 goals would have led the Islanders last year, and his 52 points would have placed second behind Mark Streit. (Granted, he benefitted from better teammates, etc.) The gang at Second City Hockey were among many surprised by his display of skill -- although his hockey sense raised concerns: Rookie mistakes or inherent flaw? No knock on Blake Comeau, but the Islanders don't need another Blake Comeau at an open-market price.

And that's where our fantasy hits a wall. Fellow "Chicago Six" member Cam Barker, a defenseman, signed a three-year deal for a little over $3 million per season. Versteeg wasn't a third overall pick like Barker, but he's suddenly a productive forward on the rise. Depending on the bidders, it's not hard to picture a price on the open market in the $3 - $4 million range. Worse, a lot of these young kids are quite excited about what they're building in Chicago, one of the league's up-and-coming teams. To leave that situation to go to last year's 30th-place team would take an overwhelming, market-busting offer.

Even throwing Garth Snow's stand-pat stance aside, unless the Blackhawks decide they absolutely cannot fit Versteeg and none of the other top-20 teams in the league see a fit for a scoring left winger, there's pretty much no scenario where Versteeg comes to Long Island. The Islanders wouldn't break form to overpay him, and Versteeg wouldn't have incentive to consider the move without getting overpaid.

Oh well. It was fun to dream.

0 recs  |  Comment 4 comments |

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I think they should

He is in the age range they are looking for. I don’t think an 8 mill three year deal would be too much for a 20 goal scorer. They have two years to bridge the gap with their recent draft picks.

The Highly touted Petrov still has two years left on his contract in Russia. And there’s still the concern that this guy even develops.

Versteeg would be a useful guy to have next to Bailey. If he doesn’t reach 20 goals and winds up with 15 g 25 A each year we still have a good value signing there.

Good GMs strike at the right time and this is the right time to get a guy like that. It’s great to develop your own prospects but you also need people pushing those prospects.

by Chickendirt on Jul 7, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Versteeg focused on Hawks
Good GMs strike at the right time and this is the right time to get a guy like that.

Absolutely. Well-timed jumps like this can be key. Alas, he seems intent on sticking around the Windy City.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Jul 7, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Future star

Oh God yes they should sign Versteeg,The kid is a Star waiting to happen and this would be the perfect time for him to come to Long Island.He played on a very offensive minded Blackhawks team,the same system that Gordon is trying to put in place here,so he is ready to fit into the puzzle.I paid him no mind because I thought he was a restricted free agent but when I found out he was an unrestricted I thought,GET HIM NOW. So far Snow has been doing a “Better then I ever thought” job,but after Milbury I can get crackheads out of alleys to do a better job then the Cement head.

by puckhead13744 on Jul 7, 2009 11:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Welcome

Thanks for logging in.

but after Milbury I can get crackheads out of alleys to do a better job then the Cement head.

Ha! Nice.

It would have been nice (though unlikely) for the reasons you mentioned. But now Versteeg has signed up for 3 years, $9.25 million. Apparently all those kids in Chicago actually want to stick together — crazy in this era, I know. Hopefully that bodes well for when the Islanders have a collection of young talents who come due for new contracts.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Jul 8, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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New York Islanders Roster

# Pos. DOB W H
Josh Bailey 12 C 10/2/1989 188 6-1
Sean Bergenheim 20 LW 2/8/1984 205 5-10
Martin Biron 43 G 8/15/1977 180 6-3
Blake Comeau 57 RW 2/18/1986 207 6-1
Bruno Gervais 8 D 10/3/1984 205 6-1
Trevor Gillies 14 LW 1/30/1979 215 6-3
Jack Hillen 38 D 1/24/1986 200 5-11
Trent Hunter 7 RW 7/5/1980 210 6-3
Tim Jackman 28 RW 11/14/1981 210 6-4
Dustin Kohn 56 D 2/2/1987 200 6-2
Andrew MacDonald 47 D 9/7/1986 188 6-1
Matt Martin 46 LW 3/8/1989 192 6-2
Freddy Meyer 44 D 1/4/1981 192 5-10
Matt Moulson 26 LW 11/1/1983 206 6-1
Frans Nielsen 51 C 4/24/1984 172 5-11
Kyle Okposo 21 RW 4/16/1988 200 6-1
Richard Park 10 RW 5/27/1976 190 5-11
Dylan Reese 42 D 8/29/1984 195 6-0
Dwayne Roloson 30 G 10/12/1969 180 6-1
Jon Sim 16 LW 9/29/1977 195 5-10
Mark Streit 2 D 12/11/1977 197 6-0
Jeff Tambellini 15 LW 4/13/1984 186 5-11
John Tavares 91 C 9/20/1990 195 6-0

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