"We want to make sure, in case something happens since we're playing three games in four nights," Panthers GM Dale Tallon told the Miami Herald. "We're a little nicked up already. We need an extra body."
To take his spot on the roster, the Panthers recalled forward Drew Shore from San Antonio of the AHL.
Versteeg is in the first year of four-year, $17.6 million deal with the Panthers. He underwent off-season hip surgery that kept him from being locked out until mid-November, but this minor groin ailment is not believed to be linked to the procedure.
In 71 games with the Panthers last season, Versteeg posted 23 goals and 31 assists for 54 points.
