13 teams are in the mix for pending free agent blueliner Kevin Shattenkirk. Who are the true frontrunners?
The Darkhorses
- Coyotes - Asked for permission to negotiate an extension with Shattenkirk earlier this season. The request was denied by Shattenkirk, but the interest is still there.
- Lightning - Also hoped to negotiate a long term extension. Rumours suggest the Bolts were willing to offer up Drouin in the trade, but Shattenkirk wasn't interested in signing at the trade deadline.
- Capitals - If the Caps can't re-sign some of their pending UFAs, it would free up space to send Shattenkirk an offer. That said, his lacklustre performance makes this look highly unlikely.
In the Mix
- Maple Leafs - Inquired near the deadline. A stated goal of the Leafs has been to improve on the blueline, but they probably won't get too involved in the Shattenkirk bidding war this offseason.
- Ducks - A team that doesn't need more defensemen, but nonetheless a team Shattenkirk is willing to sign with.
- Red Wings - As with the Ducks, Shattenkirk would be willing to sign in Detroit. The Wings might not be as attractive from a competitive standpoint, but he would instantly become their top blueliner.
- Sharks - Another team Shattenkirk was willing to consider doing a sign-and-trade with. Several big salary veterans will come off the books this summer, leaving the possibility open.
- Oilers - This ship may have sailed, but the Oilers came very close to trading for Shattenkirk last summer. He didn't sound interested in signing an extension, so the trade fell apart.
- Islanders - Being close to his home in New York has been a stated priority for Shattenkirk, and he's the kind of defensemen the Islanders desperately need.
- Penguins - Made a push to get him at the deadline but lost out to the rival Capitals. Not overly likely to get him in free agency.
- Avalanche - A team he considered doing a sign-and-trade with at the deadline, but they'd have to pay a premium given the state of the team. Shattenkirk was the Avs' first pick in the 2007 entry draft.
The Frontrunners
- Devils - The interest appears to be mutual here. One of three teams seriously in contention. The rebuilding Devils will have to sell Shattenkirk that the team is headed in the right direction. Adding Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier at the entry draft this summer would be a start.
- Rangers - If the Rangers are willing to meet his contractual demands, this is their race to lose. New York has been on the lookout for an elite puck mover since the departure of Keith Yandle.
- Bruins - Have aggressively pursued Shattenkirk over the last year or so. At some points have been considered the favourite to land him, but will he want to share PP time with Torey Krug and Charlie McAvoy moving forward?
