The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced the signing of Kevin Shattenkirk. As expected, Shattenkirk signs a one-year deal. His new contract is worth $1,750,000 per season. The New York Rangers bought out Shattenkirk just last week. The right-handed defenceman has been on the open market ever since his buyout.
Welcome to Tampa, @shattdeuces!
We have signed Kevin Shattenkirk to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. ⚡️
📝: https://t.co/3aKgLoA4PB pic.twitter.com/XySCo4EN6J
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) August 5, 2019
Tampa Bay Lightning Ink Kevin Shattenkirk
Shattenkirk has been drafted as the 14th overall player in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. He spent the first three seasons after his draft playing for the Boston University at NCAA. In 2010, he made his NHL debut with the Avalanche. Later on that season, the St. Louis Blues acquired him in a trade. The New Rochelle, N.Y. native spent the next six years playing for the Blues. In his rookie season, he collected 43 points. In the full 82-game campaign, Shattenkirk never reached less than 40 points with St. Louis.
At the 2017 Trade deadline, the Washington Capitals acquired him. In that 2016-17 season, Shattenkirk combined for 56 points, which was his career-high. The Rangers signed him on a four-year deal in 2017, the contract carried $6,650,000 per campaign. Unfortunately for him, Shattenkirk managed to collect only 51 points over the past two seasons. The Rangers chose to buy him out ahead of the final two years of his contract.
What Does This Mean For The Future
Tampa Bay were certainly not expected to make a big splash in the off-season. They still need to re-sign restricted free agent forward Brayden Point. However, they lost Anton Stralman in the free agency, alongside Dan Girardi, another veteran defenceman. Thus the Lightning continue their “tradition” of signing recently bought out defencemen by the New York Rangers.
The Lightning can undoubtedly use the abilities of the 30-year-old excellent puck-moving blueliner. Last week, the Bolts sent Ryan Callahan to the Ottawa Senators as they cleared up the salary cap space. With Shattenkirk, they add even more depth to their lineup.
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 13: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the New York Rangers controls the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 13, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated New York 7-5. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
