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With time winding down till the Boston Bruins open the 2023-24 season, their roster is taking form after present process many modifications over the summer time. As a part of waiting for the approaching NHL season, we’ll take a look at the Bruins’ roster and see what we will count on from them through the upcoming marketing campaign.
Today, we take a look at one of many Bruins’ offseason additions, Kevin Shattenkirk, and what precisely he brings to the membership’s roster. The veteran defenseman has been linked to the crew for quite a lot of years, and after signing a low-risk, one-year deal value $1.05 million, followers will lastly get to see him sporting black and gold.
Shattenkirk’s Career at a Glimpse
Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche within the first spherical, 14th general on the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Shattenkirk spent the next three seasons honing his abilities whereas enjoying for Boston University. He made the soar to the NHL within the 2010-11 season, starting his rookie marketing campaign with the Avalanche. In his first 46 video games, he scored seven targets and added 19 assists for 26 factors. However, regardless of the robust begin to his NHL profession, on Feb 19, 2011, the Avalanche traded him to the St. Louis Blues. While the deal noticed the Blues half methods with Erik Johnson, the primary general choose from the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, normal supervisor Bill Armstrong shared his pleasure, saying, “We’re very excited to acquire a young emerging power-forward in Chris Stewart and a top young NHL defenseman in Kevin Shattenkirk.”
Throughout the early levels of his profession, Shattenkirk displayed nice offensive abilities and persistently surpassed the 40-point mark, scoring a career-high 14 targets through the 2015-16 season with the Blues. He adopted that up by setting one other profession excessive in 2015-16 with 56 factors. After spending seven seasons in St. Louis, amassing 59 targets and 199 assists for 258 factors in 425 video games, the offensive-minded blueliner was on the transfer as soon as once more, this time being dealt to the Washington Capitals.
The commerce on Feb 27, 2017, introduced the 28-year-old to the Capitals, who have been hoping the addition would assist make them a Stanley Cup championship. “Kevin is a skilled, puck-moving defenceman who we think will help our team at even strength and on the power play.” Capitals’ normal supervisor Brian MacLellan said in a statement following the deal. Shattenkirk posted 14 factors with two targets and 12 assists in 19 video games with the Capitals, whose Stanley Cup ambitions have been reduce quick following a second-round exit within the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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Shattenkirk turned an intriguing free agent through the 2017 offseason, and regardless of his identify being linked to the Bruins on the time, he finally signed a four-year contract value $26.6 million with the New York Rangers. After simply two seasons the place he didn’t reside as much as expectations, he was purchased out by the membership. While getting into the free agent pool once more, the Tampa Bay Lightning took an opportunity and signed him to a one-year contract value $1.75 million. The transfer paid dividends as Shattenkirk put collectively a powerful efficiency en path to the Lightning’s 2020 Stanley Cup victory. In 25 video games through the 2020 Playoffs, he scored three targets and ten assists for 13 factors.
Related: Boston Bruins’ 2023-24 Player Projections: Charlie McAvoy
With a Stanley Cup championship added to his resume, Shattenkirk introduced his companies to the Golden State by cashing in on a three-year, $11.7 million take care of the Anaheim Ducks. During his three seasons with the Ducks, he continued to supply offense at an affordable clip, averaging 0.36 factors per recreation. Most not too long ago, in what was an abysmal season for the membership, he had 4 targets and 23 assists for 27 factors in 75 video games.
Shattenkirk Solidifies Bruins’ Defensive Depth
Although he’s clearly previous his prime and the constant 40-point seasons he put collectively early on in his profession, Shattenkirk becoming a member of the Bruins’ defensive corps as a bottom-pairing defenseman will assist solidify their depth on the place. The transfer, very similar to a lot of Don Sweeney’s free-agent signings this summer time, brings a low-risk, high-reward issue. With Shattenkirk slated to change into the alternative for the freshly departed Connor Clifton, it appears as if the Bruins’ have obtained an improve at a less expensive value.
Shattenkirk may even assist the Bruins’ energy play, which struggled at occasions all through final season. In reality, after leaving the Ducks and their abysmal powerplay, which capitalized on simply 15.72 p.c of their alternatives in 2022-23, the 34-year-old ought to see an offensive resurgence by becoming a member of a way more deadly power-play unit.
While his defensive aspect of the sport leaves extra to be desired, an enchancment from his career-worst plus/minus ranking of minus-20 final season must be anticipated. Depending on how head coach Jim Montgomery plans on using Shattenkirk, he could begin extra of his shifts within the offensive zone, which might, in flip, assist result in extra fast targets off of set faceoff performs within the opponent’s finish. His possession metrics additionally mirror his deployment, as he posted a career-low 45.3 Corsi For share with the Ducks whereas beginning a career-high 54.3 p.c of his shifts within the defensive zone.
What the Bruins Can Expect from Shattenkirk
First and foremost, as beforehand talked about, Shattenkirk will present a lift to the Bruins’ energy play. While fellow right-handed defenseman Charlie McAvoy will quarterback the highest unit, he’ll probably discover his personal place on the second unit. The Bruins can count on their latest blue line addition to extend his offensive manufacturing in comparison with his time in Anaheim.
Related: Boston Bruins’ 2023-24 Player Projections: Hampus Lindholm
Another cause Shattenkirk’s offense will enhance is because of the truth that he received’t be leaned on as closely to play in defensive conditions. While at his greatest with the St. Louis Blues, he usually began over 60 p.c of his shifts within the offensive zone. While becoming a member of a Bruins squad that contains a deep blue line, Montgomery can use Shattenkirk, the place he’s simplest, within the offensive zone.
Look for Shattenkirk to put up someplace between the 35-40 level vary, with a stat line of seven targets and 29 assists for 36 factors being a practical risk. While it stays to be seen, the depth signing might show to be a stroke of brilliance from Sweeney, as Shattenkirk might quietly play a pivotal position for the Bruins this season.
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