Sophomore STEEGER should stagger Blackhawks with scoring

He appears to be a man on the move. Or maybe I just like saying STEEGER along with coach Joel Quenneville. No better chant exists for the Madhouse on Madison than STEEGER.
The unknown winger played the critical role last season on all winning teams by being the man who fell to earth, arriving as an alien from Alberta out of the blue. He changed that usual question of "where did this guy come from?" into a rare Hawks positive.
And if you have seen that picture out there of a spiffy Versteeg with his hair brushed up like he has an active volcano perched on his head and wearing a purple tie, well, let's admit he certainly has some alien features to fit the image.
Overall, however, he looks to be a down-to-earth Chicagoan, who can talk as good a game as he plays, and often with the same spicy vigor. Versteeg seems to be an example of all that is exciting about a Blackhawks team that is seeking to make a name for itself.
Once considered rejects, he and the Hawks are finding life in the fast line very satisfying and quite lucrative.
He has paid his dues since being drafted in the 2004 fifth round by Boston and making his way to this city when general manager Dale Tallon traded forward Brandon Bochenski to get Versteeg and a draft choice in February, 2007. Yes, that Brandon Bochenski.
Yet further evidence that the demoted (really it's fired) Tallon received a raw deal from president John McDonough, no matter if Versteeg was one of the restricted free agents who may have benefitted from the delayed offers by signing for 3 years, $9.25 million.
Getting Versteeg for Bochenski should at least assure a GM a job for a few more years. It isn't every year that a Hawks GM picks off a top rookie with keen scouting.
Now every time that Versteeg scores this year, Tallon makes his point all over again that his record as a GM is every bit as good as anyone out there. Good for the resume and good for smirking at McDonough.
Versteeg will be worth the money. After being one of the NHL's top rookies, I see him as someone that may fly under the radar compared to Hossa, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp, but should broaden his reputation further this season by embellishing his first-year production in the NHL and showing again he is a two-way player with a special ability to score shorthanded.
He turned in 22 goals and 31 assists last year. I view him as somebody who can take this 53-point debut and turn it into 70 to 80 points in his sophomore season, riding the wave along with a club that's on the make.
He exudes a hungry attitude and considers himself a late developer who is eager to prove that he wasn't a one-year wonder and someone whose reputation will vanish in a hurry. He could be a wing on a second line with center Dave Bolland and we'll have to leave it to Versteeg to help make us forget Martin Havlat is gone.
The Calder Trophy finalist is being doubted in some circles, and that's natural. It's not unusual to wonder if Versteeg can be as good a second time around. Quenneville and Hawks' assistant coaches will be sure to use that as motivation for Versteeg.
Show us, don't tell us, they'll say. Save the mouthing off for later.
After all, he had a mediocre postseason with some poor decision-making to go with his 4 goals, 12 points in 17 playoff games.
And after a quick start last season with 7 goals, 20 points in the first 22 games with the able help of Toews and Kane, Versteeg slipped as his first long season wore on and scored simply 13 points in the final 33 games.
But he should not really be judged too harshly with his NHL inexperience, and as long as he shows he learns quickly from failures, Versteeg has the chance for a long, important career as a Hawk.
I'm willing to believe he is smart enough to adjust and advance.
He hasn't minded admitting that he grew up idolizing the Detroit Red Wings, which can be a risky proposition around some seriously crazed Hawks fans, who see red whenever Detroit is mentioned in any positive fashion.
Proving themselves better than Detroit will remain a head game in Chicago as much as an on-ice competition.
But as long as Versteeg does what he can to emulate his one true hero, Steve Yzerman, he is the kind of player who could finally put Detroit in its place and lift the Hawks into a new era with a championship flair.
That should give him more chances to wear the purple tie. And maybe seek out a new hair stylist who can tame the volcano and turn the locks into a lush tropical island.
Gotta look classy for the Stanley Cup photos.