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Did the Rangers Make a Mistake Signing Kevin Shattenkirk

By John Barone

ST. LOUIS, MO. - DECEMBER 31: New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) during an NHL game between the New York Rangers and the St. Louis Blues on December 31, 2018, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO. - DECEMBER 31: New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) during an NHL game between the New York Rangers and the St. Louis Blues on December 31, 2018, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 12: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the New York Rangers plays the puck during first period action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on February 12, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 12: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the New York Rangers plays the puck during first period action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on February 12, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Kevin Shattenkirk is in his second season with the New York Rangers and it has been anything short of impressive. Is it time for the Rangers to admit that signing him was a mistake.

In the 2017 off-season the Rangers were coming off a second round loss to the Ottawa Senators. The quest for the Stanley Cup was not too far away at that moment. Thinking the Rangers still had another year or two of contending for the Cup they decided to sign Kevin Shattenkirk.

Shattenkirk  was the prize acquisition that off-season, and the Rangers thought they were getting a 40 point defenseman who was able to command the power play and produce offense. In his first season with the Rangers, he was injury riddled playing only 46 games. In those games he had 23 points, five goals and 18 assists. Although, he was on pace for a 41 point season, portions of his game struggled. For instance, he had 49 giveaways that season, which was second on the team in about half the number of games played.

This season

While you could point to his knee injury as a reason for the lack of offense last year, in his second season Shattenkirk’s offensive production has not risen to the same level as his other seasons.  Already playing 50 games this season Shattenkirk only has a total of 18 points, a 30 point pace. This would be around a 10 points fewer than his worst total in any season in which Shattenkirk played at least 70 games.

One part of his game that has a really declined is his power play production. This season, Shattenkirk has one goal and five assists. Compare that to the 26 power play points he averaged from 2013-17. You cannot blame a lack of power play ice time for the lack of scoring. Currently Shattenkirk leads the Rangers defensemen in power play minutes with 126. The next closest is Neal Pionk with 89.

Having a defenseman who is not producing at the same rate as he used to is not helpful for a rebuild. Shattenkrik still has two years left on his contract that is $6.65 million per season. At age 30, it may make more sense for the Rangers to contemplate other options for Shattenkirk, whether they decide to try to trade him or buy out his contract.

Next. Trading Peter Holland was a smart move. dark

Knowing all of this, is it time for the Rangers to admit signing Shattenkirk was a mistake? At the time is seemed to be a smart move for a New York Rangers team that was still on the hunt for a Stanley Cup. Now, it looks like a massive miscalculation and in the end, a mistake.

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