Kris Versteeg Dealt to Toronto Maple Leafs: Fantasy Implications

Late Wednesday night, within hours of free agency beginning, the Chicago Blackhawks made their second trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs within a week. This deal involved a prominent NHL player, though.

Toronto receives Kris Versteeg and the rights to Bill Sweatt in exchange for Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico, and Philippe Paradis. Sweatt has expiring draft rights and was not planning to sign with Chicago. Versteeg has two more years left on a contract signed last summer with a cap number over $3M.

In this trade, Sweatt, DiDomenico, and Paradis will all see more time either in college or the minors, so they won’t have fantasy value this coming season.

What are the Leafs getting?

Kris Versteeg , RW

Runner-up for the 2009 Calder Trophy, Versteeg is coming off his second 20-goal season. He finished 2009-10 with 44 points and a Stanley Cup Championship, but his salary cost him an address in Chicago. He played well on Chicago’s PK and can create his own shot. Still only 24, Versteeg will jump into Toronto’s top-six and, if he’s next to Phil Kessel, could see a nice bump in production this season.

So what did the Hawks get back?

Viktor Stalberg , RW

Stalberg was one of the top prospects in the Leafs organization before being called up to Toronto for 40 games last year. In that brief action he contributed 14 points (nine goals, five assists).

He’s described as a ”big player with great speed who accelerates really well and reaches full speed very fast. He forechecks successfully and plays with good intensity. A natural sniper with a fine scoring touch. Defense and passing game could use some improvement.”

Because of his skills and sub-$800k salary, he could see significant action with the Blackhawks this year. Stalberg could be a sleeper for 2010-11 .