Kris Versteeg: 5 Reasons He Will Be Great With the Philadelphia Flyers

This piece is also featured at The News of Delaware County

The Philadelphia Flyers acquired forward Kris Versteeg from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a first- and a third-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Some pundits say the Flyers paid too much for Versteeg, but the intangibles that he brings to the table can’t be measured.

Versteeg is a physical player who can get under the oppositions skin and also has some of the softest hands when it comes to passing and weaving through the defense.

The following list is comprised of the five things that Versteeg can bring to the Flyers. Enjoy!

5. Positive Attitude

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Kris Versteeg #32 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reaches for the puck as Darroll Powe #36 of the Philadelphia Flyers pulls it back in a hockey game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 23, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Phot

From all accounts, the Philadelphia Flyers have really found a piece that fits perfect for their team.

Versteeg is a gritty player that ignores that fact that he isn’t the biggest player and tries to play tough at all times on the ice.

When he heard the news that he was coming to Philadelphia, his positive attitude was evident.

"Right away I was extremely excited to join this team," Kris Versteeg said. "They've had a lot of success this season.”

4. Power-Play Abilities

Abelimages/Getty Images

TORONTO - NOVEMBER 18: Kris Versteeg #32 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils during game action at the Air Canada Centre November 18, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Inconsistency has been the biggest problem for the Flyers' power play all season and a player like Kris Versteeg could be the shot in the arm the power play needs.

Versteeg played a part in Toronto’s power play but the failures of the Maple Leafs have really dwarfed his numbers while with the team.

The Flyers are No. 17 in the NHL in power-play percentage and the addition of a player who has 36 points, 13 of which coming on the power play, can’t be a bad thing.

3. Playoff Experience

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 09: Kris Versteeg #32 of the Chicago Blackhawks hoists the Stanley Cup after the Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime to win the Stanley Cup in Game Six of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Wachovia Center on

As bad as it hurts to say, Versteeg did beat them, and now he gets to join them after winning the Stanley Cup last season.

Versteeg adds playoff experience and had six goals and eight assists in 22 games during the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup run last season.

There is something to be said for being there before and not letting the magnitude of the situation overwhelm the player. 

He can be another calming force in the locker room and someone who won't break under pressure.

The Flyers are hoping he holds the Cup for a second straight season.

2. Penalty Kill

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL, CANADA - FEBRUARY 12: Kris Versteeg #32 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Yannick Weber #68 of the Montreal Canadiens collide during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 12, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Gett

The Philadelphia Flyers are 10th in the NHL in penalty kill percentage and have added another piece to the defensive puzzle.

Kris Versteeg is as sound defensively as he is offensively and doesn’t mind pulling up his sleeves and getting dirty on the penalty kill.

His great forechecking ability and willingness to get under people's skin is an asset that can’t be measured.

“I like to make plays and score goals at the same time, maybe go out there and be an agitator at times too,” Versteeg said.

1. Offensive Abilities

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - FEBRUARY 13: Kris Versteeg #32 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks to pass under pressure from Colby Armstrong #20 of the Atlanta Thrashers at the United Center on February 13, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Thrashers 5-4 in

The biggest thing that Versteeg brings to the Flyers is his ability to make a huge play at any moment.

Versteeg can make plays happen in many different ways, and only help a Flyers offense that is already great.

The latest addition to the Flyers has posted 36 points this season on a terrible Toronto Maple Leafs team and will look to thrive with a plethora of talent at the forward position for the Flyers.

With all of Versteeg's stats and abilities, the Flyers GM Paul Holmgren may have pulled a big-time trade off that makes an elite team a Stanley Cup Champion.