Rumor: New York Rangers are shopping Kevin Shattenkirk

The New York Rangers had been shopping defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk during the 2018/19 season and they will continue to try to complete that goal this summer. Larry Brooks of the New York Post had reported that the Rangers had been actively trying to move the 30-year-old defender. Brooks stated that the Rangers were even willing to retain 50% of his salary in order to move him but came up unsuccessful. 

Since joining the Rangers in 2017/18 Shattenkirk's point production has declined. In his 7 seasons in St. Louis, he was able to surpass 40 points 5 times but in 2 seasons in New York, he hasn't been able to put up more than 28 points. Shattenkirk has 2 more years remaining on his contract at 6.65 million and with the Rangers looking to a younger d-core with players like Adam Fox, Tony DeAngelo and Brady Skjei, Shattenkirks time in New York could be coming to an end. 

Shattenkirk has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to pick 10 teams to add to a no-trade list. Shattenkirk would need to give his permission to be traded to these teams. GM, Jeff Gorton may need to consider buying out Shattenkirk if he is unable to move him this offseason, it would lead to an additional $5.166 million in cap space. Gorton commented on the future of his back end:

“It’s no secret we need to improve our defense. It was not good enough for us to be what we want to be. It’s something we recognize and we’re acting on. It’s not just the defense. We’re not in the playoffs. We’re bringing in quality, young players to compete for jobs. That’s what it’s about. We’re building to win the Stanley Cup.”

Will Shattenkirk be a Ranger on the opening night of the 2019/2020 season? Or will Gorton and his staff be able to find a way to move the defenceman out of town?