Kevin Shattenkirk
Kevin Shattenkirk is a fantastic story for Ranger fans. The New Rochelle native, who grew up a massive Ranger fan, inked a four year, $26.6 million deal, leaving money and a lot longer term on the table in order to come home. He was brought in as a bona fide top pairing defenseman, expected to add a new dynamic to the power play and the team itself.
Four games in, Shattenkirk has delivered. He has made the previously pedestrian power play look like a lethal unit. He has a goal and three assists, all on the power play.
Shattenkirk is the top pairing offensive defenseman that the New York Rangers have needed since Brian Leetch. He has been extremely impressive to start the season, transforming the power play into one of the best in the league. But, Alain Vigneault is up to his usual tricks, taking Shattenkirk off the top pairing, first placing him with Brady Skjei, and then with Marc Staal *insert eye roll*. Hopefully he learns from his mistakes (this never happens), and he places him back with McDonagh.
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All in all, the Rangers haven’t been very impressive to start the season. But, they’ve only played four games out of 82, so there is still time to turn things around. Let’s hope they do. Until then, at least we can take solace in Zibanejad, Buchnevich, Zuccarello, Shattenkirk, and the power play.