Confirmed Signing with Link: [CGY] Calgary signs Kris Versteeg (1 year, $950,000)

[ManofSteel55]

That always seems to be how PTO's work:

Guy signs a PTO with Team X to get looked at.
Guy plays well enough that Team X might offer contract.
Guy secretly hopes Team A, B or C might see enough to swoop in and offer more.
Guy gets offer from Team X. Agent lets it slip to other teams about contract.
Guy gets offers from Team A & C, with more offered in contract.
Guy signs with Team A. Fans of Team X are outraged. Blame Team X for stupidity.

Did I get it right?

Not really. As a fan of team X in this scenario, I am indifferent. Unless he pulls a Mason Raymond and continually scores more goals against us than he has any right to that is.

 

[V13]

That's Versteeg 7th team and he's 30

6 more to go to break Mike Sillinger record

 

[cptjeff]

Or he was offered a contract and instead decided to go play where he had a chance to win. Oh wait, that is what actually happened.

I also wonder if he got into the Oilers thinking they might be turning a corner and putting together a better team, and then found that the team culture was exactly as toxic as has been rumored. Of course, as with any decision, several factors would have played into it.

 

[Blitzago*]

He's a great compliment to the flames top six. Better than going the oilers route by rushing rookies. Cough cough yakupov.

What are the flames doing with Tkachuk then? Is that considered rushing aswell?

Or does that not apply here.

 

[ManofSteel55]

Yeah, cause a third liner in Edmonton becomes a first liner in Calgary. Totally gonna help you guys win.

It's a different scenario. Gaudreau and Monahan don't need a star player to produce, they need someone who doesn't hurt their production and can keep up, like Hudler 2 years ago. That's Versteeg. Not a true first liner, but a guy who could be plugged in to help an already clicking top line pair. Similar to tossing in Kevin Stevens with Jagr and Lemieux, or Craig Simpson with Gretzky and Kurri. A guy who is obviously the 3rd best of the three, but compliments the other 2. Can't blame Versteeg for wanting a chance at playing in that situation. And if Chiarelli wanted him so badly we should have just offered him the contract, not a PTO.

 

[MikeModano9]

What are the flames doing with Tkachuk then? Is that considered rushing aswell?

Or does that not apply here.

No that only applies to Oiler players or to fit narratives.

 

[5 14 6 1]

The chance to play with Gaudreau and Monahan for a year is more tempting then being on the Oilers third line playing with Maroon and Caggiula. I don't blame him, he's trying to put up some good numbers and cash in next year I'm sure.

Sucks we lost him, he was a nice depth fit.

 

[djpatm]

What are the flames doing with Tkachuk then? Is that considered rushing aswell?

Or does that not apply here.

Tkachuk was one of, if not the best forward in preseason for the Flames (Albeit, without Monahan and Gaudreau in the line up).

He earned his 9 games

From what we've heard out of Edmonton, Jessie isn't in the same boat atm.

 

[voxel]

He would have been nice depth. Chia TRIED to sign him so all these comments about Oilers forcing rookies into the lineup are laughable...

Another Hendricks types would be nice on the 3rd line... hoping Chia explores new options.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Tkachuk was one of, if not the best forward in preseason for the Flames (Albeit, without Monahan and Gaudreau in the line up).

He earned his 9 games

From what we've heard out of Edmonton, Jessie isn't in the same boat atm.

how many goals did he score in pre-season?

good for Versteeg though....I'd rather play everyday in the top 6 to try and score 20 goals and get another contract instead of toiling on the 3rd line here in Edmonton

 

[madmike77]

I also wonder if he got into the Oilers thinking they might be turning a corner and putting together a better team, and then found that the team culture was exactly as toxic as has been rumored. Of course, as with any decision, several factors would have played into it.

I'm a Flames fan and I love hating on the Oilers, but realistically I think it comes down to opportunity and has little to do with culture.

In Calgary he's closer to home and could be playing with Monahan and Gaudreau - which could set him up for a nice long-term deal next year. He likely wasn't going to get a similar chance to play on Edmonton's top line.

 

[voxel]

From what we've heard out of Edmonton, Jessie isn't in the same boat atm.

Nah, Jesse can play. I just don't want Oilers throwing away a single point.

If MT was on the Oilers I would prefer him in the AHL or OHL. Not convinced he is physically ready for the 82-game grind. I wouldn't want him injured like Sam Bennett.

 

[oilerbear]

I can't help but feel that third line will be slaughtered.

PC has been targeting top 90 fwd skill for his lines.
there is clear in experience on that line.

Maroon LW 6'3" 227lb #62 FWD 1.18 EVA/60; Gaudreau 1.19
Caggiula C 5'10# 185lb 2016 frozen four MVP
Puljujarvi RW 6'3" 208lb; one of 3 17yr old WJC mvp; Gretzky: Bure.

Yup that line kind of lacks any pedigree.

We could not play Puljujarvi
and
replace him with our # 14 forward; Slepyshev #1 overall pick in 2011 KHL draft
6'2' 217lb winger captain of Russia u18 WJC; U20 WJC

 

[DJJones]

how many goals did he score in pre-season?

good for Versteeg though....I'd rather play everyday in the top 6 to try and score 20 goals and get another contract instead of toiling on the 3rd line here in Edmonton

Calgary couldn't score goals to save our lives in the preseason.

Tkachuk wasn't a game breaker but he looked very solid with Bennett and Brouwer. That line should have gotten goals every game. If it wasn't for that chemistry and the fact that that line is in the position to be given easy minutes I'm sure Tkachuk would have been sent down.

Not worried at all about him being a complimentary piece on an offensive line.

 

[PsYcNeT]

how many goals did he score in pre-season?

3 Goals (1 SO), 2 assists and 2 GWG I believe.

 

[covfefe]

That's a facile argument. Domenic Moore is traded for a 2nd round pick every other year.

This is reality in the cap world. Versteeg is not the sort of player you commit to. He's a complimentary piece. Everyone would take him on their team, but at this stage nobody wants him for 3x$12m.

Please, Harry, explain the complexities of this scenario that have escaped me. I clarified my position on page 3 and don't really have anything else invested in this discussion.

Everyone would take him on their team...except for the 4 teams that have giddily ridded themselves of him in the last 3 seasons.

Scoring is trending towards all time lows, yet a proven scoring player finds himself on a PTO and you see no issue with that because 'this is reality in the cap world.'

Where do you get 4m from when he just signed a deal 1 day before the season starts for 25% of that figure...?

And my argument is facile...

 

[Volica]

I'd sign there too if I were him. On the Flames he's a first line rw, and on the Oilers he's a 3rd liner.


Says more about the Flames depth if anything

I said it in another thread, Johnny, Brouwer, Frolik in your top 9 stacks up well against most of the NHL. Opportunity plays a key role, Versteeg isn't the first line answer, but he is a guy who can hang with the kids.

This is the reason you guys get blasted when your dwelling in the basement and are ridiculed in the offseason these types of comments.

 

[DCDM]

I'd sign there too if I were him. On the Flames he's a first line rw, and on the Oilers he's a 3rd liner.


Says more about the Flames depth if anything

So who's going to slot into that spot in the lineup for Edmonton? Pool Party?

 

[izzy]

Better decision for him going forward considering the open spots on calgary

 

[Johnnybegood13]

What are the flames doing with Tkachuk then? Is that considered rushing aswell?

Or does that not apply here.

Difference with Tkachuk is he's extremely smart and plays a 200 ft game, plus he's physically ready and if wouldn't do him much good to go back to junior.

 

[Del Preston]

So who's going to slot into that spot in the lineup for Edmonton? Pool Party?

At least for now.

 

[Deen]

I like this signing for Calgary. He could potentially be a 1st liner for under a million bucks.

 

[smackdaddy]

Flames don't have much on the right side, so that makes sense i guess. Brouwer and Frolik have their roles on the team, but nobody to play on that top line to help Gaudreau and Monahan.

Is that the case, then? Versteeg promised 1st line minutes?

Might be the reason he chose Calgary if true. I think he expected to play with McDavid.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

It looks like calgary just did a better sell job. I mean he could easily be playing 3rd line rw with the flames next season, but will get a shot as first line rw to start i doubt he stays there all season unless he finds great chemistry in the hudler role.

 

[Figgy44]

What are the flames doing with Tkachuk then? Is that considered rushing aswell?

Or does that not apply here.

IIRC he's playing 3LW. He gets his 9 games and we easily have guys like Ferland or Bouma to take that position after he gets sent down. Cup of coffee, not roster main stay is most of Flames fans expectations.

Pulujarvi looks to be the 2RW? Who is his replacement when he gets sent down? (legit question, not patronizing rhetorical question). Most fans can't figure out who will fill in the 3RW position and thus assume he's a roster mainstay. It's feeling a little reminiscent of MacT expecting Draisaitl to be a mainstay on the 2nd line. Versteeg looked to be a good 2RW or 3RW option.

Difference with Tkachuk is he's extremely smart and plays a 200 ft game, plus he's physically ready and if wouldn't do him much good to go back to junior.

IMO, the chances he is sent down is still there. He is no lock to stay up IMO. I do think he may force management's hand to keep him up with his play, but it's not guaranteed. There's indeed not much else he can learn in juniors due to the fact he has grown up around NHL locker rooms all his life.

Is that the case, then? Versteeg promised 1st line minutes?

Might be the reason he chose Calgary if true. I think he expected to play with McDavid.

I dunno about playing with McDavid, but IMO, he's behind Eberle for sure. I think he thinks he can easily rotate around our top 9 RW as a 1/2/3 RW at worst while on the Oilers he's a 2/3rd line RW for sure (middle 6).

Plus, huge bonus of being far closer to home (Lethbridge) if playing for Calgary.