The New York Rangers are to buy out defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk. Shattenkirk will become an unrestricted free agent.
Now the window open, and a source says that #NYR have bought out Kevin Shattenkirk.
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) July 31, 2019
New York Rangers Buy Out Kevin Shattenkirk
Shattenkirk will become a UFA and will have to begin searching for a new team. Shattenkirk is a defenceman who has 9 years of experience and is a veteran playmaker on the blueline.
Last season, he scored two goals and 26 assists for 28 points, adding 20 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 50.4 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of +5.6. Over his 9-year NHL career, Shattenkirk has played for the Colorado Avalanche, St.Louis Blues, Washington Capitals and New York Rangers. In that time, he has 75 goals and 274 assists for 349 career points in 609 career games. Shattenkirk has recorded five goals and 29 assists for 34 points in 60 career playoff games. He was originally drafted, 14th overall of the 2007 NHL Draft by the Av’s.
The cap hit for the buyout will be:
2019-20: $1,483,333
2020-21: $6,083,333
2021-22: $1,433,333
2022-23: $1433,333
What This Means For the Future
Shattenkirk had two years left on his four year deal worth 6.65 per season. The Rangers are currently in a rebuild and are getting younger, hence the reason they bought out the veteran defenseman. The New Rochelle, NY native spent last year playing on the Rangers top pairing alongside Brady Skjei.
Shattenkirk had put career low numbers while with the Rangers. He had seven goals and 44 assists for 51 points in 119 games with the Blue Shirts. Shattenkirk used to be a guy who put up about 10-15 goals per season, so he will be looking to bounce back next season to find his old form.
Shattenkirk, while putting up low numbers in New York, is still able to play on a teams powerplay. He will have to start looking for a new team and put up better numbers than his last few seasons.
Main photo:
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