Blackhawks Trade Versteeg, Nordstrom To Carolina For Two Defensemen
(CBS) The Blackhawks have traded forwards Kris Versteeg, Joakim Nordstrom and a third-round pick of the 2017 NHL Draft to Carolina in exchange for defensemen Dennis Robertson, Jake Massie and a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft.
The trade can largely be considered a salary dump by Chicago, which clears an estimated $2.4 million with the move. Robertson, 24, scored three goals and added 14 assists in 57 games last season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Massie, an 18-year-old, played last season with the Boston Jr. Bruins U18 team and Kimball Union Academy.
In 2014-15, Versteeg scored 14 goals and recorded 20 assists in 61 games, coming in his second stint with the organization. Nordstrom added three assists in 38 games.
By trading Versteeg and Nordstrom, the Blackhawks have cap room to re-sign center Marcus Kruger, who remains a free agent.
The Blackhawks open up training camp next Friday on the campus of Notre Dame University. Their first regular-season game is October 7 against the New York Rangers, where the team will raise its 2015 Stanley Cup Champions banner.