Feb 26, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Kris Versteeg (32) looks up during the game against the Boston Bruins at PNC Arena. The Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Hurricanes Fall to St. Louis Blues Hours After Eric Staal Trade by Brett Finger

The Carolina Hurricanes have trade forward Kris Versteeg to the Los Angeles Kings.

According to multiple reports, the Carolina Hurricanes have dealt forward Kris Versteeg to the Los Angeles Kings.

Trade call coming, but it appears LA is about to acquire Kris Versteeg. — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 29, 2016

I’m told, the Kris Versteeg trade to LA is now done. — John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 29, 2016

Versteeg, 29, was traded to the Hurricanes on September 11, 2015 alongside Joakim Nordstrom and a draft pick from the Chicago Blackhawks.

According to reports, the Carolina Hurricanes will receive prospect Valentin Zykov and a conditional 5th round draft pick.

As @lakingsinsider suggested, it’s Zykov and conditional 5th round pick for Versteeg. LA-CAR trade. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 29, 2016

Zykov, 20, was a 2nd round draft pick (37th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft. The Russian forward scored 84 goals and tallied 184 total points in 162 QMJHL games. He was awarded the QMJHL rookie of the year following the 2012-2013 season.

That’s a fantastic return for Versteeg. Zykov has a high ceiling as a sniper, despite getting off to a slow start in the AHL with the Ontario Reign this season, tallying just 14 points in 43 games.

Since joining the Canes, Kris Versteeg has been a useful offensive weapon in the team’s unit of top-nine forwards, netting 11 goals and tallying 33 total points in 62 games played in 2015-2016. He ranks 5th amongst all Carolina skaters in points.

Throughout his entire career, Versteeg has tallied 308 points in 535 career regular season games spanning over nine seasons with five separate clubs.

Versteeg is the second pending unrestricted free agent that the Hurricanes have traded at the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline. Canes captain Eric Staal was traded prior to the team’s game against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Remaining unrestricted free agents on the Hurricanes include Riley Nash, Brad Malone, Chris Terry, Nathan Gerbe, John-Michael Liles, Michal Jordan, and Cam Ward.

The NHL trade deadline is on Monday, February 29 at 3:00 pm (EST).