Blackhawks acquire Versteeg from Panthers
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired forward Kris Versteeg and forward Phillippe Lefebrve from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Jimmy Hayes and defenseman Dylan Olsen, it was announced late Thursday.
"We are excited to bring Kris back to Chicago and are pleased to add a player with his experience and versatility to our lineup" Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said in a release. "Kris is well respected within our organization and will be able to make a seamless transition to our team because of his familiarity with many of our players and with Coach Quenneville. This move strengthens our team depth and Kris' skill is a great complement to our current roster."
Versteeg, 27, who was a member of the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup championship team, has two goals and five assists in 18 games with the Panthers this season.
Lefebrve will report directly to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL.
The 23-year-old Hayes has six goals and seven assists in 43 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, and 76 points (35-41) in 120 career AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs. Olsen, 22, has appeared in 28 career games with the Blackhawks, earning one assist. His numbers (6-24) over 152 career AHL games with the Icehogs are better.
In other news, the Blackhawks reassigned forwards Jeremy Morin and Alex Broadhurst to Rockford.
