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No extension talks between Flames and Versteeg, but he wants to re-sign

Toronto Maple Leafs v Calgary Flames

CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 30: Kris Versteeg #10 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on November 30, 2016 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

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All things considered, Kris Versteeg’s one-year, $950,000 deal with Calgary has paid off nicely.

The Flames have received good bang for their buck, as Versteeg’s racked up 12 goals and 25 points in 54 games. And Versteeg’s revived his NHL career, something that appeared in doubt after he signed in Switzerland last summer -- only for the deal to fall apart due to insurance complications.

So, no surprise to hear Versteeg would like to re-sign.

From the Calgary Herald:

Versteeg revealed that contract discussions haven’t started between him and the Flames yet. But his preference is to stay in Calgary.

“Me and my agent have talked a lot about different scenarios and situations,” he said. “Being in Calgary is obviously No. 1 for me. I have my family, I have my friends. I feel like I’ve made a lot of good friends on the team and in the organization. Here is where my heart is, especially right now.”

The Versteeg decision may come down to June’s expansion draft.

Calgary’s in the fairly unique position of having no players they’re required to protect, so GM Brad Treliving has options. It also might behoove the Flames to wait until the expansion draft is finished to sign Versteeg, so they don’t have to make the choice to either protect or expose him.

Of course, Treliving will have plenty of other business to attend to this summer. Both his goalies -- Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson -- are pending UFAs, as are d-men Dennis Wideman, Deryk Engelland and Michael Stone.

Treliving will also need to negotiate new deals for RFA forwards Sam Bennett, Curtis Lazar, Micheal Ferland and Alex Chiasson.