Edmonton Journal

Veteran Versteeg embraces tryout

- ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI

It’s been a long time since Kris Versteeg had to audition for a hockey team — 639 NHL games and two Stanley Cup rings ago, to be exact.

But while coming to training camp on a profession­al tryout is nowhere near as secure or glamorous as doing so with a signed contract in his pocket, he’s still excited with the opportunit­y in front of him here in Edmonton.

“I was about 19, so it was about 11 or 12 years ago,” said the veteran centre, recalling the last time he had to play his way onto a team. “It’s been a long time, but I don’t really go in with a different mindset. I think I’ve always tried to go into camp and play hard every year and try to show the brass, no matter where I’ve been, that I want to be there, that I’m in shape and that I’m at the top of my game.

“The urgency might have changed a tad, but I just have to play my game and not overthink it or overdo it. This is fun for me, this is exciting and I’m just hoping to impress the team and hopefully earn a way on.”

Versteeg has been well-travelled in the last few years, having played for Florida, Carolina, Chicago and Los Angeles since 2014, with a brief visit to Switzerlan­d in the summer to see what might be available there.

He put up 38 points in 77 games last winter between the Kings and Hurricanes and keeps finding teams because he’s a hard-working, versatile player who’s great in the dressing room and knows what it takes to win.

He has to prove he still has the foot speed to keep up, though, which is why they didn’t sign him right off the bat.

“I know I’m still a really good player and can still produce and play at a high level, it’s just to show that I can still skate,” said the 30-year-old. “I think when you get older, in your 30s, it’s about losing a step for a lot of guys. That’s something I focus on every summer, to prove I can still skate and keep up. From there, just play my game.

“I know what kind of player I am, I know how good I am when I’m at the top of my game, it’s just a matter of going out and showing them that I haven’t lost a step, that I can still play and contribute.”

His game is very attractive to the Oilers. He’s a guy who can play both wings, and even centre if he has to, and knows how to play both ends of the ice.

“He’s not a one-tool player when it comes to position and that’s a valuable thing,” said head coach Todd McLellan.

“If you have the ability to move and you’re comfortabl­e doing it and willing to do it, it certainly enhances your chances.

“Versteeg is a veteran player, he’s won Stanley Cups he’s been on some really good teams and some developing teams and he tends to have an impact wherever he goes.

“You have to find a way to leave a mark on the game every night. Veteran players, the smart ones that last a long time, they can do that. We think he’s one of those players. We think he can challenge for a spot.”

It’s only been a couple of days so far, but Versteeg likes the way he’s fitting in here.

“It’s been exciting to be around guys that I’ve played against and some that I’ve played with, just to see the progressio­n and how good guys are,” he said.

“These first three days have been an eye opener.”

The Oilers are a team he might not have given much considerat­ion to a year or two ago, but after some pretty major additions in the last year, he likes the view from within.

“I think it’s a team that can win, can go to the playoffs,” he said. “I don’t see why not.”

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