Kevin Shattenkirk

Shattenkirk was a pleasant surprise a season ago for fantasy managers lucky enough to nab him late in their draft or on the waiver wire. He played in all 82 games for the Ducks, posting 35 points, including 14 with the man advantage, his highest totals since the 2016-17 campaign. That said, don't expect a rebound performance. Shattenkirk is now 33 years old and Anaheim gave John Klingberg $7 million to serve as the club's unquestioned No. 1 power-play quarterback. That leaves Shattenkirk battling for scraps on the second unit, essentially cratering his fantasy value.

Shattenkirk won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning two seasons ago following his buy out from the Rangers and then joined the Ducks last offseason on a three-year, $11.7 million contract. His production decreased significantly in his first year in Anaheim. Shattenkirk's goal (two), assist (13), point (15), and power-play point (five) totals were all the lowest of his long NHL career. There's little reason for optimism moving forward given the fact Shattenkirk is now 32 years old, plays for a poor team and underwent knee surgery in the offseason. The Connecticut native is worth a dart throw in the last few rounds of your draft, but that's it.

Shattenkirk enjoyed a renaissance with the Lightning in 2019-20, racking up 34 points (seven on the power play) in 70 regular-season contests. He added another 13 points in 25 playoff games as a member of the Stanley Cup champions, but Tampa's cap crunch ultimately meant Shattenkirk would have to find work elsewhere after a buyout. The Ducks gave him a three-year contract, adding key veteran experience to an otherwise young and inexperienced team. Shattenkirk's offense will likely dip in his first year in Anaheim, but he should still produce at a 25-point pace while filling a key power-play role. The 31-year-old will also contribute modestly in non-scoring categories, making him a solid late-round pick in fantasy drafts.

There's chatter about a possible trade or buyout for Shattenkirk, who took a hometown discount to sign with the Rangers two years ago, only to see his production nose-dive. A knee injury suffered during the 2017-18 campaign played a large part in his decline, but Shattenkirk has just 51 points in 119 games with New York (0.43 points/game) after previously scoring 298 points in 490 games (0.61). There's some hope that Shattenkirk will get back to his productive ways of old now that he's more than a year removed from knee surgery, and he'll be surrounded by a significantly upgraded supporting cast compared to the last two seasons if he stays on Broadway. That said, Shattenkirk will have a tough time cracking 40 points if he doesn't play on the No. 1 power-play unit.

Shattenkirk had his first year in New York cut short by a meniscus tear in his left knee, but he's expected to be completely recovered by the start of the season. His 23 points in 46 games prior to going down had Shattenkirk on pace to top 40 points for the fifth consecutive campaign, so he remains one of the league's premier offensive contributors from the blue line. That offense shines through most on the power play, where Shattenkirk's recorded 25 or more points four times. The New Rochelle, New York native's play in his own zone falls well short of the top guys at his position, however, as evidenced by his minus-35 rating over the past three seasons.

Signed to a surprisingly team-friendly contract in the offseason (four years, $26.6 million), Shattenkirk gives the Rangers something they've hungered for since Brian Leetch left town 13 years ago -- a game-changing scorer on the blue line. The owner of four consecutive seasons with 25-plus power-play points, he'll instantly improve a man-advantage unit that has long been a major weakness on Broadway while creating a vicious even-strength duo with Ryan McDonagh. As long as Shattenkirk avoids catching the virus of the Rangers’ power-play awkwardness, the 28-year-old should be in for a big year with his new club, and with McDonagh at his side and Henrik Lundqvist at their backs, it wouldn't be surprised to see Shattenkirk get back to being an asset in plus-minus after finishing negative for the past two seasons.

Shattenkirk is an offensive whiz – he's posted three straight seasons of at least 44 points. But he's more than just a one-tool wonder. Shattenkirk also helps drive possession in a big way and that makes him among the league's elite from the blue line. But here's the rub. He's inked for just one more year at $4.25 million and will command an enormous deal next summer. The Blues can't afford Shattenkirk – no way, no how. So, he's been on the block since before last June's draft. He'll be on the move by deadline if he doesn't get traded before the start of the season. But no matter where he is, Shattenkirk is a top-four stud who'll quarterback the power play and soon approach 50 points a season. Fantasy owners in all formats should do a deep dive into some of his splits, though – he's far more productive in the first half than the second (hmm ... conditioning, perhaps?) and that means single-year leaguers need to seriously consider packaging him in a trade before the deadline.

Shattenkirk was having an incredible season for the Blues when an abdominal injury suffered in early February forced him to have surgery and sidelined him for nearly two months. He still finished with totals of eight goals and 44 points, including 25 points on the power play, with a plus-19 rating and 135 shots in 56 regular season games, then added eight points in the Blues' six-game, first-round playoff loss to Minnesota. The 25-year-old had no prior history of significant injury, so there shouldn't be reason for concern on that front, especially with his playoff showing. He'll once again form a dynamic duo with Alex Pietrangelo on the Blues' blue line and should challenge for career highs in most categories, just as he was before his injury.

After fading badly down the stretch of the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, Shattenkirk proved much more consistent throughout the past season, allowing him to narrowly establish career-best marks in both goals and assists. A capable performer on both ends of the ice, Shattenkirk earned a spot on the United States’ Olympic team in Sochi and seems to have firmly established himself as one of the higher-end fantasy options at his position. Given his relative youth, the potency of his mates on the Blues’ power play, and the coaching staff’s willingness to stash him on the second pairing to match him up against weaker opponents, Shattenkirk may still have room for growth in both the scoring and plus/minus categories. Shattenkirk might not have the look of a future Norris Trophy winner like teammate Alex Pietrangelo, but his shot-happy ways might give him the greatest fantasy upside of any of the Blues’ defensemen.

It is hard to say which Kevin Shattenkirk will show up in St. Louis this season. Will it be the defenseman who put up 14 points in the first 14 games or the blueliner who delivered a paltry nine points in the remaining 34 games? At this point, it's a guess, but the answer is probably somewhere in between. The former first-round draft pick has good puck skills, is an excellent passer and has great vision on the ice. And he is surrounded by talent in St. Louis. He might slip on draft day based on that molasses-like 34 games, but that would be a mistake. Be ready to take advantage. He could easily deliver top-10 production for blueliners.

Shattenkirk, who had a reputation of an offensive defenseman after his 43-point rookie season in 2010-11, did nothing to dispel that notion when he threw up another 43 points in 81 games in his first full season as a Blue last season. Only this time, he brought more to the defensive end, finishing the season tied for second on the team at plus-20 rating. He's overshadowed by teammate Alex Pietrangelo, but the two give the Blues great offensive potential from the blue line. The organization would like to see Shattenkirk continue to round out his game, but it is also in need of the offense he brings. Five of his nine goals and 18 of his 43 points came on the man advantage. If he's paired with a defensive specialist, like Roman Polak or Barrett Jackman, Shattenkirk can continue to push the offense in 2012-13.

Shattenkirk was an early-season callup to Colorado and never set skate on another AHL rink the rest of the way. He showcased his offensive skills early, putting up 26 points in 46 games with the Avalanche before his trade to St. Louis. He picked up his scoring pace for the Blues, with 17 points in 26 games. That was good enough to be a top-20 scorer from the blue line. The knock on Shattenkirk is that he’s not abrasive enough on the defensive end, but with a better defensive team, he improved his plus-minus from minus-11 with Colorado to plus-7 for St. Louis.

Shattenkirk remains one of the most highly-anticipated defensive prospects the Avalanche organization has ever produced. He was a star at Boston University the past three seasons, scoring 78 points (18G, 60A) over that span, and added two more helpers in three games for the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters after turning pro last season. He is expected to challenge for a roster spot with the Avs this season, but will likely return to the AHL in order to continue to developing his all-around game.

Acquired 14th overall in the 2007 entry draft. Shattenkirk is still at least one more year away from landing in the NHL, as it was announced that he will return to the collegiate level this upcoming season to play for Boston University. Still, Shattenkirk is considered by many to be the Avs' top defensive prospect. Undersized but highly competitive, he is a skilled passer and plays a deadly transition game. He's got plenty of offensive skill and should find himself quarterbacking the Avs' power play one day.

Shattenkirk is considered by many to be the Avs' top defensive prospect. Undersized but highly competitive, he is a skilled passer and plays a deadly transition game. He's got plenty of offensive skill and could find himself QB'ing the Avs' power play one day. He's still probably a couple of years away from cracking the Avs' roster, however. Those of you in keeper leagues should watch him closely.

Shattenkirk is a big leader in a small body. He's just 5'11" and 190 lbs, and he can skate like the wind. But it's his slap shot that captures our attention. He's going to score a lot of goals some day and he's aggressive for a small guy. His game fits the new NHL; it's just going to take a few years for it to blossom once he arrives.