With the free agency starting soon, the New Jersey Devils desperately need help on the back end. Are they going to sign Kevin Shattenkirk, the biggest name of this year’s free agency?
The biggest name on the market is undoubtedly UFA Kevin Shattenkirk. Per Fanrag Sports, Pierre LeBrun was asked about Shattenkirk on Wednesday morning radio hit on Vancouver’s TSN 1040 if he could see the Lightning signing him and mentioned the New Jersey Devils as well.
"“I mean, it’s not impossible,” LeBrun said. “But I have a feeling that New Jersey will probably have the biggest bid, is my guess. The Devils have the most cap room. Shattenkirk is from the area. Certainly, the Devils have a hole there on that side.”"
According to David Pagnotta, it’s a certainty the New Jersey Devils have already reached out to Shattenkirk, as they should.
As you'd think, lots of interest in Shattenkirk. Believe TOR, NYR, NJ, BUF, LV, TB among teams who reached out. He's reviewing options today
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 28, 2017
The signing of Shattenkirk would make a lot of sense for the Devils. There’s a big hole on the backend. Plus, right-handed puck-moving top-line defensemen are never available on the open market.
The 28-year old has had five 40+ point seasons, has scored at least 8 goals in each of them, except the lockout season.
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He registered 13 goals and 43 assists in 80 games last season. That would make him the best point producer on the Devils roster last season. That includes forwards, he had more points than both Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri.
Will he be overpaid? Probably, but with a lot of interest from other teams, the Devils have to take a risk. They have the cap space, currently around $24.5 million.
Shattenkirk made $4.25M last season and is looking for a big raise. His asking price is probably somewhere between $6.5 million to $8 million for 6 or 7 years.
Will the New Jersey Devils land Shattenkirk? We might find out as soon as July 1st, when the feeding frenzy begins.
It’s going to be a busy summer for GM Ray Shero and his staff.