Kevin Shattenkirk declined the Oilers before asking for tryout deal

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Liam McCormick
September 6, 2024 (4:39 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers are looking to add a veteran defenceman on a tryout contract before training camp, and one prime candidate has denied a trade to the Oilers in the past.

Kevin Shattenkirk is reportedly interested in joining the Edmonton Oilers, potentially on a tryout contract to earn a spot on the team in the preseason.

"I've heard that Shattenkirk would love to be part of that Oiler team if there's a spot for him"
- Elliotte Friedman

Shattenkirk clearly changed his mind about the Edmonton Oilers over the last few years. Back in 2016, the Oilers had a trade in place to acquire Kevin Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues for Taylor Hall. According to OilersNation, Shattenkirk vetoed the deal and wasn't interested in signing an extension in Edmonton.

Oilers fans have been used to hearing star players around the league be unwilling to venture north for their career, but that's changing recently. Earlier today, Elliotte Friedman reported that multiple NHL players are taking the Edmonton Oilers off their no-trade lists, and are interested in joining the team culture they've built. Edmonton is becoming a destination around the league, and Shattenkirk changing his mind is a clear example of that.

Now 35 years old, Shattenkirk is clearly looking to chase a Stanley Cup in the twilight of his career. He's played 952 NHL games with 7 different teams in his career, and won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019-20. In the early part of his career with the St. Louis Blues, Shattenkirk was considered one of the high end two way defenceman in the league. Last season he played 61 games with the Bruins with some decent success, scoring 6 goals and 24 points. If the Oilers want a veteran for the right side of the defence early this year, Shattenkirk is a great candidate.

Source for stats: HockeyDB - Kevin Shattenkirk