Some will remember him for the goals. Others will cherish the two Stanley Cups he won with the Chicago Blackhawks. Maybe there’s some company in grinning at memories of his funny hair.
However you think of Kris Versteeg, it sounds like you won’t see him as an NHL player in 2015-16.
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that Versteeg is expected to sign with Bern of the Swiss League this weekend:
Looks like Kris Versteeg's playing career is taking a different path. He's expected to sign with Bern in Swiss League this wknd.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 22, 2016
Versteeg is the biggest of three names slated to play overseas instead of the NHL.
Andre Benoit is going to play for Malmo in Sweden while Versteeg’s former Blackhawks teammate Kyle Cumiskey is also Sweden-bound, as he got a gig with AIK.
These players have seen better days, whether a free agent squeeze made a difference or not. It’s often a little sad to see them go, even if it makes sense (especially with a struggling player like Cumiskey).
It’s especially sad to see Versteeg leave, and not just because he seemed to have the most left in the tank:
#FlaPanthers Kris Versteeg meets media w/ new mustache in honor of buddy Brandon Davidson, a D w/ OKC battling cancer pic.twitter.com/aIkdgmq1
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 9, 2013