Kris Versteeg is on the open market, once again.
The 30-year-old inked a one-year deal with SC Bern of the Swiss National League in late July. According to Darren Dreger of TSN.ca, the deal has fallen through. Versteeg is once again a free agent after complications with his insurance.
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
Dreger notes, Versteeg is healthy, but a hip surgery four years ago might have stopped him from getting the necessary insurance in Switzerland.
Although fully healthy, Versteeg had hip surgery 4 yrs ago which may have prevented full coverage in Switzerland. https://t.co/6iUbL8EV8L
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 5, 2016
It’s tough pivot to go from Switzerland potentially back to the NHL, but Versteeg should be a coveted free agent.
Versteeg has been a consistent performer throughout his NHL career.
In 2015-16, he scored 15 goals and 38 points in 77 games split between the Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings. He’s a perennial 15-20 goal threat who’d represent an excellent fit on most team’s second or third lines. Considering he’s hitting free agency this late into the offseason, Versteeg should come at a reasonable price on a one-year deal. Teams looking to beef up their depth chart and add an experienced, Stanley Cup winning vet should look no further than the Lethbridge, Alberta native.
The next step for Versteeg will be interesting. A return to the NHL must have felt unlikely after signing in Switzerland, but he’s now got the chance, once again, to hook on with a team. It’s funny how free agency can work out.
