Kings get Versteeg for Zykov + conditional 5th

[Psych3man]

Just announced

 

[lasportzphan]

Seems like a solid trade.... What say thee?

 

[smackdown380]

When Gaborik comes back Versteeg can drop to the 3rd line and be solid on the wing

 

[smackdown380]

 

[CaptHowdy00]

For on the release.

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired forward Kris Versteeg from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Valentin Zykov and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2016, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Versteeg, 29, has played in 63 games with the Hurricanes this year, recording 33 points (11-22=33) and 36 penalty minutes.

The 5-11, 176-pound native of Lethbridge, AB has played for the Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs during his nine-year NHL career, including winning two Stanley Cups (2010 and 2015 with Chicago). In 535 career regular-season games he has 308 points (127-181=308), a plus-16 rating and 311 penalty minutes. Drafted in the fifth-round (134th overall) by the Boston Bruins during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the two-time Stanley Cup champion has appeared in 84 playoff games overall. He has posted 42 points (16-26=42) and 66 penalty minutes during that time.

Zykov, 20, appeared in 43 games this season with the Ontario Reign (AHL), posting 14 points (2-8=10), a plus-7 rating and 20 penalty minutes. He was drafted by the Kings in the second-round (37th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I didn't realize the dude is 29, seems like he has been around for ever. The good news is he has won 2 Cups and knows what it's like, he already has that winner's mentality.

 

[Psych3man]

When I first heard Zykov was involved I thought "Huh? No, not him" but then I realized I was reacting to the opinion when we drafted him as a "steal" at that draft position and that he has not developed as they thought he might. Because the Kings have had such good fortune with many of their draft picks forming the nucleus that won the Cups, I think their reputation precedes them and other teams take our prospects and they do not materialize into quality NHLers, see Vey, Scrivens, Weal etc. Really SWEET being in the seller position now instead of all those years getting snookered on the other end or drafting so badly no one wanted our players that didn't fit.