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Canucks 2020 free agent targets: Kevin Shattenkirk

By Alex Hoegler

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 02: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on January 2, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 02: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on January 2, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Vancouver Canucks could use another top-four defenceman with offensive upside. Kevin Shattenkirk fits the bill.

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning stands to lose some impactful players in free agency this offseason.

Retaining top goalie Jacob Markstrom is obviously the No. 1 priority. Benning will also look to keep blueliners Chris Tanev (a pending UFA) and Troy Stecher (a pending RFA). He also has to work out new deals with RFAs Jake Virtanen and Adam Gaudette.

Tyler Toffoli proved to be a nice rental for Vancouver, but it’s going to be extremely difficult to retain him. The odds of Toffoli re-signing appear to be minimal, unless Benning is able to clear out several hefty veteran contracts.

If Benning loses Tanev and/or Stecher, he’ll have to find a suitable replacement in free agency. None of Vancouver’s top blue line prospects are ready for the NHL, after all.

That brings us to Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner Kevin Shattenkirk, who enjoyed a nice bounce-back season after getting bought out by the New York Rangers last August.

The slick puck-moving defenceman signed a one-year, $1.75 million with the Bolts, adding even more depth to a star-studded group. The 31-year-old produced eight goals and 34 points in 70 games for the Lighting prior to the season suspension.

Shattenkirk has been one of the more underrated yet consistent offensive defencemen throughout his career. He has six 40-point seasons on his resume, and Shattenkirk is only three years removed from a 56-point campaign, the best of his career.

He’s also a right-handed shooter, so Shattenkirk would be able to replace the void left by Tanev and/or Stecher. He’d be able to chew up top-four minutes, and Shattenkirk could be a nice complementary weapon to Quinn Hughes on the first power play unit. The other option, of course, would be to have Shattenkirk quarterback the second unit.

Vancouver’s top four could consist of Hughes, Shattenkirk, Alexander Edler and Tyler Myers. That would be a great mix of speed, skill, physicality and veteran leadership for head coach Travis Green to work around.

Next. Canucks: How the offense stacks up versus the Wild. dark

Shattenkirk won’t be sought-after compared to other top blue line free agents in Alex Pietrangelo and Torey Krug. But if his price is reasonable, the Canucks should try to bring in the veteran rearguard who could make this potent offence even better.

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