Free agent winger Kris Versteeg is headed to Russia. He will play for Avangard Omsk in the KHL. Terms of the deal are not yet known. The news was reported by Sportsnet and Flames TV reporter Ryan Leslie.
Versteeg heading to Omsk of the KHL.
— Ryan Leslie (@ryanleslie73) August 17, 2018
Avangard Omsk of the KHL Signs Free Agent Kris Versteeg
Versteeg has been a journeyman over his 11-year NHL career. He has played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and Calgary Flames. He has scored 149 career goals and 209 career assists for 358 career points in 643 games. Versteeg has added 18 goals and 30 assists for 48 points in 93 career playoff games. He has won two Stanley Cups. His best season was during the 2011-12 season when he scored 23 goals and 31 assists for 54 points in 71 games for the Panthers. Versteeg was originally drafted in the fifth round, 134th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins.
Last season, he scored three goals and five assists for eight points in 24 games. He also added six minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 47 percent Corsi For with a relative Corsi of -5.8. Versteeg is coming off a one year, $1.75 million dollar contract that he signed with the Flames in June 2017.
What This Means for Versteeg’s Future
Versteeg spent two and half months last year on the shelf with hip injury that required surgery. He will bring his experience and two Stanley Cups to his new club. In his later years, Versteeg could be a bottom-six forward who could put up 15-20 goals a year. He has shown that he can score on the power-play getting eight goals with the man advantage back in the 2016-17 season. Versteeg will look to bounce back next year after spending a good part of this past season on the shelf. With a strong season in Russia, perhaps he can attract NHL interest next year.
Main Photo: LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 11: Kris Versteeg #10 of the Calgary Flames shoots during the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on October 11, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
