-Vintage Canuck- Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Quote Kris Versteeg and the Calgary Flames have parted ways. The 32-year-old unrestricted free agent winger and locker-room favourite is off to Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League, inking a deal for the 2018-19 season as reported by Sportsnet’s Ryan Leslie on Friday. The witty winger from Lethbridge underwent hip surgery in early December after tweaking it during a 6-4 loss in Dallas on Nov. 24. It caused a hip labrum issue on the same hip that prevented the two-time Stanley Cup champion from playing in the Swiss league with SC Bern in 2016-17 (a decision that proved serendipitous as he wound up signing with the Flames after spending the 2016 training camp with the Edmonton Oilers). Versteeg broke into the NHL in 2007-08 and has played 643 NHL contests with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Florida Panthers, the Blackhawks (again), the Carolina Hurricanes, the Los Angeles Kings and the Flames. He has two Stanley Cup rings, hoisting Lord Stanley’s mug with the Blackhawks in 2010 and 2015. Versteeg had a knack for keeping the dressing room light and spirits high. He hung around the Saddledome while recovering from the surgery, and when he returned from the injury, things weren’t quite the same although the Flames were not in a playoff position and Versteeg was shut down in late March. But at his best, he was a creative force on the power-play at his usual spot on the half-wall. Following his return last season, he played two games and finished with 24 appearances in 2017-18, scoring three goals and five assists. https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/veteran-winger-kris-versteeg-leaves-flames-signs-with-khl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mll Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 That's where Bob Hartley coaches. Omsk is in Siberia but they'll actually be playing near Moscow - 1600 miles away from Omsk. Their 10 year old arena has structural damages and is closed. They will be playing their home games in Balashikha near Moscow. They'll also stage some outdoor games in Omsk so that their fans get to see them play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Love, love Versteeg. Always able to step up his game in the playoffs. Personal fav. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86Viking Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Was it Versteeg that said he was going to fire or change agents if he couldnt get an nhl contract? Or some other player? Surprised Chicago didnt go to the well on with for league minimum. Best of luck to him, needs to stay healthy then should get a deal to come back to the NHL with his experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 3 hours ago, mll said: That's where Bob Hartley coaches. Keenan coached in that league as well (and won the equivalent of the Stanley Cup in the KHL - I think he's the only head coach to win the ultimate prize in the KHL & NHL). Still, two dirtbag human beings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 4 hours ago, Monty said: Love, love Versteeg. Always able to step up his game in the playoffs. Personal fav. Agreed. He was low-key a sniper, and had a great blend of ability to score and play two-way with an edge. He was who I was hoping Honey Badger could've become, someone who steps up well in the post-season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyCuddles Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 He's not even ultimate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIC_CITY Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 21 hours ago, Monty said: Love, love Versteeg. Always able to step up his game in the playoffs. Personal fav. I'll never get over the day he rapped at the stanley cup parade. One of the all time cringeworthy memories I'm still trying to get out of my head... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted August 26, 2018 Author Share Posted August 26, 2018 Kris Versteeg will not be joining Avangard Omsk because Versteeg’s wife does not want to go to Russia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 19 hours ago, -Vintage Canuck- said: Kris Versteeg will not be joining Avangard Omsk because Versteeg’s wife does not want to go to Russia. Jeez. ”Breaking News! Spouse of million dollar athlete doesn’t want more money!” This should be front page news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 23 hours ago, -Vintage Canuck- said: Kris Versteeg will not be joining Avangard Omsk because Versteeg’s wife does not want to go to Russia. Nope the wife doesn't want to go. Word is she was talking to Vey's wife about the goat killers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skolozsy2 Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 I'm still waiting for another report to come out that says something along the lines of "After spending 2 weeks at home with the wife and kids, Kris Versteeg re-signs with Omsk." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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