Thornton Stay With Sharks, Shattenkirk to Rangers

Kevin Shattenkirk grew up as a New York Rangers fan. On Saturday that paid off for the team when he signed a four-year $6.65 million contract. He was one of the top free agents out there and turned down more money and longer term to sign in New York. So he says. But New Jersey GM Ray Shero and Buffalo’s general manager say they didn’t offer seven years. While that leaves Colorado as a possibility, perhaps Shattenkirk is just blowing smoke. We’ll never know.

We do know that Joe Thornton resigned with the Sharks. But it wasn’t as if he gave them any type of discount. A one-year contract worth $6.5 million isn’t chump change. But he’s been with the Sharks for a number of years and decided to go back. While it might be he didn’t didn’t get the offer he was looking for, Shark fans have to be pleased.

Thornton wasn’t the only one who resigned. Patrick Sharp is back in Chicago, Justin Williams returned to Carolina and Pittsburgh resigned Justin Schultz. Cam Fowler will be an Anaheim Duck for a number of years. And Marc-Eduaord Vlasic will spend the next eight seasons with San Jose.

Jaromir Jagr is still without a team. But it’s hard to imagine somebody not signing him before the season starts. He’s up there in year. But he can still play and is a great mentor for younger players.

Teams paid a premium for defensemen, That’s one reason the Rangers got a bargain on Shattenkirk.

New Jersey was expected to make a splash. But all they did was sign Brian Boyle to a two-year deal. But Ilya Kovalchuk is expected to announce if he’ll play in the KHL or NHL on Monday. If he chooses the NHL, New Jersey is in position to make a decent trade. And they can still take on salary for a decent player.