New Jersey Devils fans were upset to find out that free agent defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk chose the New York Rangers in free agency. It may have been a blessing in disguise.
Kevin Shattenkirk was the crown jewel of this year’s free agency class. He is a right handed shooting defenseman who could solidify a top line who could help the New Jersey Devils. At least, that’s what he is on paper.
Shattenkirk makes a great offensive defenseman is he was on this Devils team. He could be paired with a multitude of players, and make that the team’s top defensive line. A pairing with Andy Greene would use their contrasting styles to make the perfect line. He could pair with John Moore or Damon Severson to add offense to any line.
While his offensive ability is not in question, his defensive prowess is. Some experts call him a great second pairing defender. The Devils need so much more than that on the blue line. The team and fans would expect a bonafide top defenseman, especially for the price. He’s making $8 million this season. Even if it’s circumvented to just a $6.65 million cap hit, that’s a ton of money. When you look at the players in the league that make that much, Shattenkirk doesn’t seem in their league.
Shattenkirk signed for just four years for the Rangers. At 30 years old, he likely won’t see himself in the conversation for worst contracts by the end of it, but the way the contract is structured makes you wonder what the Rangers were thinking. He’s making just $4 million in the final year, with the same cap hit. That could be a draw for teams looking to make a trade to get closer to the cap ceiling.
Shattenkirk’s signing would have changed the way the Devils went through the rest of the offseason. Say what you want about the Devils, but the team has assets that other teams will covet. Now that the Devils defense is still in need, Ray Shero will continue to look for a deal to make an upgrade. That wouldn’t have been the case if Shattenkirk signed. Now, the Devils can find themselves with a player that can give the team what they need at a much healthier price.
The signing of Shattenkirk would have upgraded the Devils’ defense. There’s no arguing that. The argument here is saying that he would have finished the upgrade. The Devils defense ranked 24th in the league in goals against average. Shattenkirk’s skill set wouldn’t have moved the needle enough to change that to the point to contention for the Devils. The team needs a player who could change that overnight. Shattenkirk was not that.
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Cory Schneider was left out to dry more times than not last season, and this team needs to protect its goalie if the Devils will be competitive this season. Shattenkirk could clear the zone, but in times of desperate need he may not be the player you want on the ice. There are players available on the trade market who could do that better. If the Devils are able to pull off a trade for a player like Hampus Lindholm or Tyson Barrie, the team will be in a better position overall than with Shattenkirk and his massive deal.
The Rangers made a huge move that makes the team better, but at the end it could still work out in the Devils favor.