Blackhawks Trade Versteeg

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 1, 2010 2:00PM

Just days ago, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman claimed that he didn't need to make any additional trades related to salary cap issues. He had already traded away Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, Ben Eager and Colin Fraser in the wake of the team's recent Stanley Cup victory.

Fast forward a few days, and yet another key player from the Hawks' championship run is gone as Kris Versteed was traded to the Toronto Mapleleafs. The third-year player scored 20 goals and 24 assists during the 2009-10 season, adding six more goals and eight assists in the playoffs. In return, the Blackhawks received prospects Viktor Stalberg, Philippe Paradis and Christopher DiDomenico from the Leafs.

We are going to once again point the finger at Dale Tallon. While the Hawks' former GM laid the groundwork to win the Stanley Cup, his offer sheet snafu last summer also cost the Hawks millions in cap flexibility before costing Tallon his job. In fact, Versteeg's salary was the single largest component of that fuck up. Now Bowman is left to try and work his magic to minimize the impact while the Blackhawks try and retool for another run at Lord Stanley's Cup. Hardly a minimal hit when guys like Buff and Versteeg have been sent packing, though.