Kevin Shattenkirk derby could be NHL Draft day’s costliest

Kevin Shattenkirk’s future was just determined by Keith Yandle.

When the Florida Panthers signed the defenseman to a seven-year, $44.45-million deal, that set the rate for Shattenkirk, who is going into the final year of his deal with the St. Louis Blues. The Blues have Alex Pietrangelo ($6.5 million) and Jay Bouwmeester ($5.4 million) locked up long term. They have Colton Parayko coming off his rookie deal in 2017. Paying that rate for Shattenkirk is possible, but it isn’t feasible, and so he’s likely to be moved this summer and as early as Friday night.

But where?

The Shattenkirk Derby already includes the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers (Yandle’s former team) and Arizona Coyotes, who some believe are the front-runner for him as they continue to spend to improve their blueline after signing Alex Goligoski this week. The Buffalo Sabres are also in the mix, but have been most recently linked to Cam Fowler of the Anaheim Ducks.

(The NY Post shot down a Rick Nash-for-Shattenkirk rumor that apparently was a thing.)

From the Ottawa Sun and Bruce Garrioch:

Ideally, the Blues would like to move Shattenkirk east, which means the Bruins and Sabres will be among those interested. The talk is if Shattenkirk moves — and if he’s given any say in the matter — he also wants a long-term extension as part of the deal so making a trade will be tricky. The Oilers have likely shown interest as well, but if GM Doug Armstrong is set on sending Shattenkirk east then that won’t be a fit.

Then there’s the question if Shattenkirk, a Westchester County native, would sign long-term in Edmonton.

So what you have here is an old fashioned bidding war, and the Blues are going to be the beneficiary – especially when one factors in the desperation level of heavy hitters like the Rangers and Bruins to add a significant piece on defense and shake off the disappointment of last season in the process.

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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