The Los Angeles Kings are the latest Stanley Cup contender to add a rental ahead of the trade deadline.
The Kings acquired veteran forward Kris Versteeg from the Carolina Hurricanes, general manager Dean Lombardi announced Sunday.
CAR cannot retain salary on any deals. At max of 3 (Harrison, Staal, Ruutu). PHI in same spot.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 29, 2016
In return, Los Angeles sent Russian prospect Valentin Zykov and a conditional fifth-round pick to Carolina.
Carolina-bound Valentin Zykov (in Versteeg trade) was the No. 3 prospect on L.A. top-10 list in Future Watch, not in top-75 league-wide.
— Brian Costello (@bcostellothn) February 29, 2016
In order to make room for Versteeg's $2.2-million cap hit, Kings insider Jon Rosen reports the team placed forward Marian Gaborik on long-term injured reserve. Gaborik, who is dealing with a knee injury, is expected to be healthy in time for the playoffs.
Versteeg was held out of the Hurricanes' lineup for Sunday's 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 32-year-old is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, from 2010 and 2015.
He has 11 goals and 22 assists in 63 games this season.
