As an unrestricted free agent in 2017, Kevin Shattenkirk had several teams who offered him a max seven-year deal. Instead, he took a four-year, $26.6 million deal to play with his hometown Rangers. “When it came down to it, [it was] not a numbers or terms thing, but it was where was going to be the best fit for me,” Shattenkirk said at the time. “Obviously, the opportunity to play for my lifelong favorite team and to live out a lifelong dream was something that I couldn’t let pass by.”
Two years and a month later, Shatty’s tenure in New York unceremoniously ended as the Rangers bought out the remaining two years left in his contract weeks after he became a father for his first time.
Monday, after signing a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Shattenkirk sounded off about the situation, saying he was “pretty pissed off” about the Rangers buying him out.
The Associated Press’s Stephen Whyno has the relevant quotes from the interview.
Shattenkirk says he was shocked about being bought out by Rangers: "I was pretty pissed off about it."
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) August 5, 2019
Shattenkirk: "I think I have a huge chip on my shoulder right now. It didn’t work out with injuries and performance and with the way the direction of the team, the way that kind of deteriorated from when I signed on July 1 to now."
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) August 5, 2019
Shattenkirk: "I think I’m pissed off at myself for not taking advantage of the opportunity to play at home better and give them a reason to make it a no-brainer that this wouldn’t be their decision."
Adds he's no fan of Rangers going into rebuild.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) August 5, 2019
Shattenkirk on his time with the Rangers: "It’s definitely not a success story.”
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) August 5, 2019
Shattenkirk: "I’m not mad at the decision. Definitely not. A lot of these things, they have to be learning experiences." Doesn't regret signing with Rangers.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) August 5, 2019
Shattenkirk says he considered signing with 6 or 7 NHL teams after Rangers bought him out. Lightning won out.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) August 5, 2019
With the new contract, Shattenkirk becomes one of eight full-time defensemen on the Lightning’s roster and the third highest-paid blueliner on the team.
Via CapFriendly
