Canes deal Versteeg to Kings

Kris Versteeg’s stay with the Carolina Hurricanes proved to be 63 games.

The forward, obtained by the Canes in a Sept. 11 trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, was dealt Sunday night to the Los Angeles Kings. The Canes received Russian forward Valentin Zykov -- a second-round pick, 37th overall, by the Kings in the 2013 draft -- and a conditional fifth-round draft pick.

Zykov, 20, is playing for the Ontario Reign of the AHL, and has seven goals and seven assists in 43 games. He was the eighth-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting in 2013, was thought to be a potential first-round selection.

Versteeg, in the final year of his contract, is due to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup last season and also was a member of the Chicago’s Cup winners in 2010.

Versteeg, 29, had 11 goals and 22 assists for the Canes, with two game-winners. He was pulled out of Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Blues in the second period.

The Florida Panthers traded Versteeg to the Blackhawks last season, retaining half of his salary.

Zykov played for Baie-Comeau Drakkar two seasons in the QMJHL and then Baie-Comeau and the Gatineau Olympiques in 2014-2015. He was the QMJHL’s rookie of the year after a 40-goal, 35-assist season.

This story was originally published February 28, 2016 at 11:29 PM with the headline "Canes deal Versteeg to Kings."