Shattenkirk thrilled to join contender with Bruins

BOSTON -- When Kevin Shattenkirk was entering his draft year, he believed that the Boston Bruins might take him. They had the No. 8 pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, and Shattenkirk, who was bound for Boston University that fall, wondered if it might make sense.

It didn't happen. The Bruins selected center Zach Hamill, who would play 20 games and finish with four assists in his NHL career. Shattenkirk went No. 14 to the Colorado Avalanche and now, 16 years later, has 891 games to his credit, with 460 points (97 goals, 363 assists) for six NHL teams (Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks).

"It's funny, it seems like there's been opportunities and discussions along the way, even back to when I was drafted," Shattenkirk said Wednesday about going to the Bruins. "I thought Boston was where I was going to end up."

Though it has taken a while, Shattenkirk is indeed bound for Boston after signing a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Bruins on Saturday.

The defenseman is thrilled to be back with a contender in a city he has a "soft spot for" after playing the past three seasons with the rebuilding Ducks. The 34-year-old scored 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 75 games last season for Anaheim (23-47-12), which finished last in the NHL standings. Boston (65-12-5) set NHL records for wins and points (135) but lost to the Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"The opportunity and the fit was what really appealed to me, getting back to a team that's a Stanley Cup contender was exciting," Shattenkirk said. "Getting excited about that again is great and something that I think every hockey player will tell you is the most important thing. That is really what enticed me and ultimately led me to this decision."

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Shattenkirk acknowledged that at this point in his career he's a fit as a third-pair defenseman who can move up in the lineup if there is an injury and serve as a second power-play quarterback. But it's not just what he'll bring on the ice. Shattenkirk said he's spoken with coach Jim Montgomery about providing some guidance to the Bruins' top two defensemen, Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy.

"Between Hampus and Charlie, there's two really Norris [Trophy]-caliber defensemen there and they're still growing into their expectations as players," he said. "I think being able to be a sounding board for them especially in that kind of role, a power-play role or whatever, is something we discussed and something that was kind of expected of me. I've done it before. It'll be very similar I think to my role in Tampa when I went there for a year."

Shattenkirk played for the Lightning in 2019-20 when they won the first of two consecutive Stanley Cup championships.

The Bruins signed him to be in more of a supportive role, but they see a potentially expanded one for another of their free agent signings. Forward Morgan Geekie, who signed a two-year, $4 million contract ($2 million average annual value) on Saturday, is coming off his second full NHL season, with 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 69 games for the Seattle Kraken. He then had four points (two goals, two assists) in 13 playoff games.

"I think I can contribute with a little more minutes than I had previously," the 24-year-old said, "but however I get those minutes, I'm not picky. I'm just looking to come in and help the team.

"I think for me I grew a lot as a player [last season]. Played a little bit in different situations throughout the year and in the playoffs, and anytime you can add some playoff experience it helps. It was good. I gained a lot of confidence. I'm excited where my game is, and I'm excited where it can get to and where it can grow."

Geekie averaged 10:27 of ice time per game last season, 13th among forwards for the Kraken (46-28-8), who were the first wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference and lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round. He pointed out that he's found a way, despite not being the best skater, to play a fast game and use his mind for the game. He believes he can take additional steps next season.

"Could he get into an elevated position and produce more?" Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Saturday. "Could he still have that high-end production 5-on-5?. He's played bumper on the power play; he has a really good release as a right shot. … Skating has always been the knock on Morgan, but we feel that [with] the size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and the hockey sense and his puck skill abilities that he'll be able to integrate into our group well, whether that is in the middle or on the wing and complement our group.

"Can he play higher than that? Again, that's something to be determined and we might get a surprise."