Toronto Maple Leafs: Sheckles for Shattenkirk

 The Toronto Maple Leafs have a great opportunity on their hand.

Yesterday, Kevin Shattenkirk was bought out by the New York Rangers after failing to find a trade partner for him. Herein lies a great chance for the Toronto Maple Leafs to add a player fans have pined over for nothing but cash.

Kevin Shattenkirk is a right shot, puck moving defenseman that has played significant top four minutes for both St. Louis and New York throughout his career, and was a regular 40-point player before signing with the Rangers.

Unfortunately, Shattenkirk’s time with New York never quite justified his cap hit. His point production and all-around play were adequate on the rebuilding Rangers, but not the top-pairing, minute muncher they were hoping for when they signed him. This is the time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a move.

The Leafs and Shattenkirk

The Toronto Maple Leafs are great fit for Shattenkirk. Kyle Dubas has built this team around puck movement and fast, transitional play.

Here, Shattenkirk can contribute well and play significant minutes, but in a more sheltered role suitable to him. A top four of Rielly, Barrie, Muzzin, Shattenkirk, when combined with the existing forward group, would be absolutely lethal and the best Toronto has had in decades.

This would also move Cody Ceci down to the bottom pair where he can play with a solid player in Travis Dermott, at least until Dermott is comfortable after recovering from injury.

With a Schmaltz and Marincin in the fold as well, suddenly the Leafs have excellent depth on both sides of the blue line. It also gives more time for Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren to develop and play huge minutes on the Marlies until they’re absolutely ready for the show.

Since the Toronto Maple Leafs are yet to sign Mitch Marner’s contract extension, such a move would be very difficult, but not impossible.

This would also put the pipe dream of bringing Jake Gardiner back to an end, as well. Dubai and Babcock need to reach out immediately and find out exactly what Shattenkirk is looking for.

Shattenkirk doesn’t mind the limelight or playing in a hockey-mad city. It’s just a matter of price. If Leafs brass can convince him to sign on a short “show me what you got” kind of deal, it presents a great opportunity for both sides. Shattenkirk gets a more suitable role and a chance at a big raise quickly if his play turns around. For Toronto, we get another RHD who should be a great fit for the team and if he’s not, wouldn’t be hard to drop.

With or without Marner signed, this team is doing everything it can to field the best roster it can. The Maple Leafs can make a lot of noise this year, and this is another chance to make that noise even louder.

Sign Shattenkirk now.