Ducks Sign Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk
The Anaheim Ducks have made their biggest free agent signing in years, inking defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to a three-year, $3.9 million AAV contract according to Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.
The Ducks were reportedly the runner-ups to signing the 6 ft. 206 lb. righty last year, offering more money and term before he opted for a one year prove-it deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning as he chased a Stanley Cup. That bet on himself paid off, getting the cup and a $2.69 million raise in addition to the security of a three-year term. Shattenkirk joins a formidable 1-2 right-handed blueline punch along with Josh Manson, plugging one of the Ducks biggest holes in their roster.
After a relatively disappointing stint with the New York Rangers following seven productive seasons with the St. Louis Blues, Shattenkirk remade himself in Tampa Bay, tallying 34 points while rocking a 54.45 shot attempt percentage and 56.76 expected goals for percentage according to Evolving Hockey.
Shattenkirk’s most significant impact on the Ducks will be his power play skill. He has been known as a power play quarterback since his Blues days, and his presence should give a significant jolt to a Ducks special teams unit that has ranked second-to-last in the league over the past three seasons.
The signing of Shattenkirk instantly provides a significant boost to the competitiveness of the Ducks while also creating an interesting problem for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft next summer. If Anaheim goes the seven forward, three defensemen, one goalie protection route as they did with the Vegas Golden Knights, they will have to expose one of Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, Cam Fowler, or Shattenkirk. Lindholm and Manson will both have one year remaining on their contracts, however, so trading one of them either at this year’s deadline or during the offseason becomes a likely reality.