Just because Versteeg signed with the Flames on a short term/low dollar contract, doesn't mean he's now in that situation for the rest of his career. He's clearly shown he's still a top 9 winger in this league, and he should be paid as such. Would not surprise me to see him signed at 2.5M. In today's game, that's market value for what he has produced this season.
That said, I don't think Calgary is looking at rewarding players for what they've done anymore. They are keenly focused on what you are going to do in the future. For that reason, they may offer 1.5-2M on a shorter term deal. He may very well sign elsewhere because of it, which would be a real shame, I think he's been a great fit here and his playmaking abilities wouldn't be easily replaced.
Calgary has given him a real chance to shine, playing on the top PP unit for most of the season. Perhaps he'll take a lower value deal to keep himself on a team that plays to his strengths. He's made a lot of money in his career already, maybe that's not the defining decision maker this time around, much like last year.
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