NHL News: The New York Rangers Will Buyout The Final Two Years Of Kevin Shattenkirk’s Contract
NHL News: The New York Rangers will be buying out the final two years of Kevin Shattenkirk's contract. 
© James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers will be buying out the final two years of defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk’s contract.

After much confusion, the Rangers second buyout window did not open until 12:01 am today. Pavel Buchnevich’s contract technically wasn’t filed until Saturday and weekends don’t count.

Colin Stephensen: According to the NHLPA the Rangers buyout window is open now and closes at 11:59:59 on Friday.

Cap Friendly: “#Rangers buying out the remaining 2 years of Shattenkirk’s contract would result in 4 years of buyout cap hit broken down as follows:

2019-20: $1,483,333*
2020-21: $6,083,333
2021-22: $1,433,333
2022-23: $1,433,333

*It would save NY $5,166,667 in cap space this season.”

Some quick thoughts on the buyout and the Rangers cap situation

Dimitri Filipovic: “Kevin Shattenkirk’s buyout is currently the 22nd highest cap hit amongst all defensemen for the 2020-21 season”

Forever Blueshirts: “Let me break this down quick #NYR fans:

1. If no buyouts, then Kreider and someone else gone
2. If Smith buyout, then maybe Kreider gone, definite trade though
3. If Shattenkirk buyout, maybe a small trade”

Adam Herman: “The sad thing is that the salary cap situation still isn’t comfortable for NYR. They can make it work, but they’re going to have to squeeze DeAngelo hard and cross their fingers that they don’t need more than one call-up at a time.”

  • Adam Herman: “Right now it looks like they’ll have $2.6-$2.84 in cap space. Tight fit for Lemieux, DeAngelo, and enough room for a call-up.”

Adam Herman: “The Rangers’ plan for 2020-2021 currents projects as having $7.5M in dead cap space as well as Marc Staal’s $5.7M on the books. This seems extremely not great.”

Who could be interested in UFA Shattenkirk?

Arthur Staple: (answering a question if the Islanders should be interested in Shattenkirk) “Never say never, but why on earth would the #Isles be interested? Have two top prospects coming on the right side, one anchor contract and their top current D man on the right. Makes zero sense.”

Jim Matheson: “Much discussion about Oilers and Shattenkirk now that he’s being bought out. He was third-pairing D in ES mins last year on Rangers. For $1 mil maybe. Not sure if Oiler advisor Hitchcock, his old Blues’ coach, was a fan of Shattenkirk there.”