The highest 5 locations for Kevin Shattenkirk after Rangers buyout

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Nothing went effectively for Kevin Shattenkirk final season – however, to be truthful, nothing went effectively for the New York Rangers, both. Shattenkirk is on the seek for a redemption contract, and there is a handful of groups that may make that occur this summer time.Kevin Shattenkirk|Jonathan Kozub/NHLI through Getty ImagesNothing went effectively for Kevin Shattenkirk final season – however, to be truthful, nothing went effectively for the New York Rangers, both, who missed the playoffs. The Rangers elected to purchase out Shattenkirk’s $6.65-million wage on Wednesday, saving the staff $5.16 million this season after a dismal 12 months for the defenseman.
Shattenkirk hasn’t been the identical since requiring surgical procedure on his left knee in 2018, and he’s coming off of a 28-point marketing campaign, which is his worst full-season offensive output. However because it stands, Shattenkirk is the most effective right-handed defenseman on the UFA market, and, given his earlier expertise as a top-pairing defenseman able to stable offensive numbers, a staff can be keen to take a threat on the 30-year-old on a one- or two-year deal. At his greatest, Shattenkirk was a dependable defender able to 10 targets and 40-plus factors a season. Even when he contributes 35 from the blueline, Shattenkirk would carry vital worth in a lesser function for a staff. For instance, the New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes are two groups who’ve been in on Shattenkirk previously and have younger sufficient rosters to learn from his expertise – you must think about they’ll make a run.
One drawback for gamers purchased this late into the summer time is that many groups have already got a good suggestion as to what their lineup will seem like and have already spent their cap house. However there are some groups on the market who can be a match. Listed here are 5 groups that ought to present some curiosity in acquiring his companies:
Buffalo SabresAssuming Rasmus Ristolainen is on his manner out, as quite a few stories over the previous few weeks would recommend, the Sabres may have house on the roster for a right-handed defender who can run the second power-play unit. With $three.12 million in cap room and the futures of RFAs Linus Ullmark and Jake McCabe to fret about in the mean time, the Sabres may use him as a depth choice which may not play a giant function with the staff however brings expertise to a staff that depends closely on 19-year-old Rasmus Dahlin. Henri Jokiharju may fill Shattenkirk’s spot, but when the latter may be had on an inexpensive deal, Jokiharju would possibly begin the season in Rochester – in actuality, is there a rush to maneuver the 20-year-old up whereas the Sabres are nonetheless rebuilding? He grew up a Rangers fan, so staying within the New York State space together with his household could possibly be attractive.
Columbus Blue JacketsWith $15 million in cap room and Zach Werenski the lone RFA nonetheless to signal, the Blue Jackets are in a great spot so as to add some veteran depth at an excellent worth. Outdoors of Werenski and Pierre-Luc Dubois (RFA subsequent summer time), the Blue Jackets have their core signed for no less than the subsequent two years, with lots of the staff’s most necessary items signed for 3 or extra. Columbus may afford to throw a pair million at Shattenkirk for a 12 months or two to solidify the staff’s protection core, and he can use that point as motivation to earn an even bigger pact if he redeems himself. If something, he may be an insurance coverage coverage for Ryan Murray, who has spent an excellent portion of his profession battling accidents.
Edmonton OilersEdmonton’s unending seek for defensive assist continues this summer time, and if Shattenkirk’s needs to play massive minutes his most suitable choice could possibly be in Oil Nation. For as unhealthy as Shattenkirk was final 12 months, his 28 factors with a brutal Rangers staff would have tied him with Oscar Klefbom for second amongst Edmonton defensemen on an equally poor Oilers staff. They’ve simply $2.Four million in cap house, and RFA’s Jesse Puljuarjvi’s future is unsure, however the Oilers may nonetheless discover a method to make it occur. Simply think about how joyful Oilers followers can be if GM Ken Holland shipped out Kris Russell and his $Four-million cap hit after sending Milan Lucic’s untradeable contract to Calgary. Including Shattenkirk will seemingly depend upon the Oilers plan for fellow right-handed blueliner and prime prospect Evan Bouchard. If the Oilers assume he’s able to play within the NHL, there might not be any level to bringing in Shattenkirk.
Los Angeles KingsYes, the Kings shouldn’t be trying to become old or slower, however given how unhealthy the staff was defensively final 12 months (and in each different aspect of the sport), may taking a flier on Shattenkirk – a confirmed veteran with years of big-minute expertise – be a unfavorable? The Kings have three pending UFA and two upcoming RFAs on the blueline for subsequent season, so if the Kings signed him to a two-year deal at lower than $2.5 million AAV, they’d have a little bit of stability on the backend for an additional 12 months. And at that worth,  if he can regain his kind in any respect, he’d be an excellent commerce choice to get extra property to help the rebuild. Shattenkirk could possibly be used to bridge the hole in whereas Sean Durzi, a defenseman with an identical talent set, will get extra seasoning within the AHL.
Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg’s prime precedence is to lock up RFAs Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor long run, however after dropping half the staff’s protection core, including Shattenkirk would assist ease the sting. Many of the staff’s $17.59-million cap hit can be used to signal Laine and Connor, however with Trouba gone, the Jets are lacking a giant piece on the precise facet. Shattenkirk may slot in on the second defensive pairing with Dmitry Kulikov and assist offset a number of the scoring punch left by Trouba whereas offering mentorship to children Sami Niku, Tucker Poolman and former Rangers teammate Neal Pionk. Would he take a reduction to play for a contender?
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Tags: columbus blue jackets, edmonton oilers, free company, l. a. kings, ny rangers, nhl, winnipeg jetsConnect: In regards to the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.