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Kevin Shattenkirk signs with the Lightning

BySteve Paulus|
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 02: New York Rangers defender Kevin Shattenkirk (22) is closely defended by Tampa Bay Lightning center Gabriel Dumont (40) during the first period of an NHL game between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 02, 2017 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 02: New York Rangers defender Kevin Shattenkirk (22) is closely defended by Tampa Bay Lightning center Gabriel Dumont (40) during the first period of an NHL game between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 02, 2017 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 27: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck against Cedric Paquette #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 27: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck against Cedric Paquette #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Kevin Shattenkirk was an unrestricted free agent after being bought out by the New York Rangers. He just signed a one year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The New York Rangers were forced to buy out defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.  The buyout will cost the team $10.4 million in cap space over the next four years.  Shattenkirk immediately became one of the top available free agents seen as a potential basement bargain acquisition.

The Tampa Bay Lightning jumped on the opportunity, signing him to a one year contract for $1.75 million per year.

By signing with Tampa for such a bargain rate, Shattenkirk is clearly looking to win a Stanley Cup.  Despite their disastrous early playoff exit, the Lightning remain the top choice to win it all in 2019-20.  He joins former Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh, the only former Ranger left with Tampa after the departures of Dan Girardi, J.T. Miller, Anton Stralman and Ryan Callahan.

Speculation about a destination

The speculation about a possible destination  for Shattenkrik had dominated the media. Here were the headlines:

  • Market for Shattenkirk should be robust. Will the Capitals be part of it? (Washington Post)
  • The top five destinations for Shattenkirk after buyout (The Hockey News)
  • Should the Leafs pursue Kevin Shattenkirk? (Yahoo! Sports)
  • Could the Lightning be a stealth destination for new UFA Kevin Shattenkirk (SBNation)
  • Five teams that should give Shattenkirk another chance (The  Score)
  • Time To Buy Low On Kevin Shattenkirk  (Belly Up Sports)

Teams mentioned most often in the running for the former Ranger included Buffalo, Colorado, Columbus, Edmonton, Los Angeles and Winnipeg.  They all had cap space and a need for a righthanded shooting defenseman.   Tampa moved quickly and locked him up.

A solid signing

Tampa still needs to sign RFA Brayden Point and with the Shattenkirk signing,  have $9.4 million in cap space left.  It appears that most of that will go to Point if that is the number he wants.

The signing makes a lot of sense especially at that price.  The Lightning are strong on the left side with Victor Hedman, McDonagh and Mikhail Sergachev.  Shattenkirk will contend for a top spot on the right defense contending with Erik Cernak and rookie Callan Foote.

For the Rangers, they will have to watch Shattenkirk quarterbacking the Tampa power play for the next year.  The former Ranger has a lot to prove and properly utilized, he could rebound.  For his many detractors, the expectations will be low.  At $1.75 million, for the Lightning, it’s a risk worth taking.

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