Veteran defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk’s future in the NHL appears uncertain, with insiders suggesting he may be nearing retirement unless the “perfect scenario” arises.
While reports indicate the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, or Calgary Flames could have extended an offer, it seems unlikely Calgary would have been among the suitors, given their current trajectory.
For Calgary, a pursuit of Shattenkirk doesn’t align with their likely strategy this season. Having already signed a power-play quarterback in Tyson Barrie, he’s the player the Flames will likely flip at the deadline. It would be hard to do the same thing with two players of a similar skill set.
Related: Flames Sign Defenseman Tyson Barrie to One-Year Deal
The Flames are trending toward being sellers at the trade deadline, focusing on future assets rather than adding veteran players who won’t be sticking around long. Shattenkirk’s appeal lies in his ability to contribute to a Stanley Cup contender, making the Flames an improbable fit.
The Flames’ opponent in the Battle of Alberta might not have been the team to make the offer either.
Shattenkirk, 35, expressed interest in continuing his career during the offseason, with the Oilers being a particularly appealing destination. Elliotte Friedman noted on the “32 Thoughts” podcast that Shattenkirk “would love to be a part of that Oilers team if there’s a spot for him.” Seeing as the Oilers are looking for a defenseman, if they were the team to have reached out and made an offer, the assumption is that Shattenkirk would have jumped at the chance to join them.
The potentially leaves the Canucks. Admittedly, there is no confirmation of that.
Larry Brooks of The New York Post revealed that Shattenkirk declined an offer from one of these Western Canadian teams, meaning he’ll likely lean towards retirement.
Shattenkirk Had a Solid NHL Run
Shattenkirk, a former All-Star and Stanley Cup champion wound up with 484 career points over 952 games. He had a solid 2023-24 campaign with the Boston Bruins, but it wasn’t enough to earn him the type of deal he was looking for with a team he wanted to join.
For Calgary, it seems logical they’ve opted to prioritize rebuilding efforts over short-term veteran additions.