Free agency is months away and yet it's almost a foregone conclusion that Kevin Shattenkirk will test the open market.
The New York Rangers are the odds on favorite to land his services come July -- Shattenkirk grew up in the area and they need a top-4 puck mover -- but the Devils may have some say in the matter.
They are desperate for help on defense and have money to burn, which leads TSN and ESPN insider Pierre LeBrun to believe the Devils may take a healthy run at Shattenkirk if and when he hits the open market.
LeBrun ~11:00: "I think New Jersey would make (Shattenkirk) a big offer this summer. Have lot of $, want an upgrade" https://t.co/o25LMApf6c
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) February 28, 2017
Local boy or not, it would likely take seven years and $49 million to be in serious contention for Shattenkirk's signature.
I'd have no problem paying up for the first few years, especially given how much cap the Devils have, but towards the end of a contract like that things could look a little bleak.
That's why signing Shattenkirk isn't a no-brainer for the Devils. If they were to make that kind of commitment, they'd have to make other moves that would put them in position to contend over the next few years while Shattenkirk is still providing elite level play. Otherwise, Shattenkirk's contract will be a huge anchor by the time the Devils are competitive and signing him would do more harm than good.
Again, it's far from guaranteed Shattenkirk ends up in New Jersey but they can certainly offer enough (geography and all the money/minutes he could want) to get his attention - and it seems likely they will.
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