Versteeg: From Enemy to friend

Imagine Cody Ross being a Phillie or Clay Matthews somehow winding up with the Eagles. One day they’re spoiling your championship dreams. The next, they’re your teammates.

Welcome to Kris Versteeg’s world. He played a key role when the Blackhawks broke the Flyers’ hearts in last June’s Stanley Cup finals, scoring two goals with three assists. Now, he’s wearing the Orange and Black.

“It’s going great,” said Versteeg, who was traded to Toronto in the offseason. “It’s obviously a different feeling playing with a guy like [Mike] Richards than against him. But, I think I can help out with the puck battles and scoring goals.”

His contribution has been limited so far, just a goal — into an empty net — and an assist in seven games since being acquired from the Maple Leafs for first- and third- round picks in the upcoming draft. Versteeg thinks it’s only a matter of time before that changes.

So does another guy he frequently locked horns with in last year’s finals.

“He’s a very smart player,” said Chris Pronger. “I think he’s still trying to find that chemistry. But he’s solid defensively. A good skater, who makes great plays and has a pretty good shot. He’s got some offensive upside that will work well with Richards.”