Around the League - Recapping This Week's NHL Headlines - Week 8

The New York Rangers have officially announced the buyout of defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk’s contract. Shattenkirk had two years remaining on his deal that was signed in 2017. The deal was worth $26.6-million with a cap hit of $6.65-million per season. The buyout saves the Rangers over $5-million in cap space heading into next season. Shattenkirk had 28 points in 73 games last season with the Rangers.

The Calgary Flames announced this week that they have bought out the remainder of defenseman Michael Stone’s contract. He was placed on waivers originally but had cleared. The buyout will cost the Flames $1.16-million against their cap for each of the next two seasons but saves the team $2.3-million heading into next season. Stone had five assists in 14 games last season.

Signings

Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators’ forward Rocco Grimaldi has been awarded a one-year, $1-million deal by a league arbitrator this week. The 26-year-old had five goals and eight assists in 53 games in his first season with the team. It was reported that Grimaldi was seeking $1.275-million.

St. Louis Blues

Arbitrators also awarded St. Louis Blues’ defenseman Joel Edmunson a new deal. The team announced this week that Edmunson has been given a one-year deal worth $3.1-million. It was reported that Edmunson was seeking a deal in the $4.2-million range and the team was responding with something closer to $2.3-million. He had 11 points in 64 games with the Blues last season. He added seven more points in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

It didn’t take the recently bought out Kevin Shattenkirk to find a new home after parting ways with the New York Rangers. The veteran defenseman signed a one-year deal with the Stanley Cup favorite Tampa Bay Lightning worth $1.75-million. The defenseman missed much of his two seasons with the Rangers due to knee and shoulder injuries before being bought out by the club.

Other Headlines

New York Islanders new home

The Calgary Flames may not be the only one with a new home arena in the next few years as the New York Islanders have announced that New York’s State Development board has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for their Belmont Park arena project. All six members of the board voted in favour of the $1.3-billion arena/entertainment complex. Since 2015, the islanders have split home games between their old arena, the Nassau Coliseum, and the Barclay’s Center. The hope is that the arena will be open in time for the 2021 season.

Chris Drury stays in New York

For the second time in three years, the New York Rangers have refused to give a team permission to talk to Chris Drury in regards to a head office job. The Minnesota Wild, currently knee deep in their search for a new general manager, reached out this past week to the Rangers organization to speak to their assistant GM Chris Drury and the Rangers refused. Drury has been with the Rangers since 2015 after retiring from play in 2011. He was promoted to assistant GM in 2016. In 2017, the Buffalo Sabres asked for permission to speak to Drury about a general manager job but they were also turned down.

Cullen to join Penguins’ head office

After announcing his retirement from on-ice play earlier this offseason, Matt Cullen will now be joining the Pittsburgh Penguins head office in a player development role with the hockey operations department. Cullen played 21 seasons in the NHL and won three Stanley Cups.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have come to terms on a new deal with backup goaltender Linus Ullmark. The one-year deal will see Ullmark earn $1.325-million next season. In 37 games last season, Ullmark put up a .905 save percentage. He was drafted to the Sabres in 2012.

The Sabres also managed to reach a new deal with defenseman Jake McCabe this past week. The new two-year deal is reported to be worth $2.85-million annually. Also drafted by the team in 2012, McCabe had four goals and ten assists in 59 games last season.

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