NHL Trade Rumors: Arizona Coyotes pursuing Kevin Shattenkirk

After signing Alex Goligoski to a five-year deal, the Coyotes are reportedly interested in trading for Kevin Shattenkirk to further boost their blue line.

The Arizona Coyotes have already surprised the NHL once during the 2016 offseason by trading for the rights to Dallas Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski.

They proceeded to sign him to a five-year deal when no one thought that he would choose to go to Arizona. Now the Coyotes might be prepared to do it again. Despite adding Goligoski, they’re not done adding to their blue line and have reportedly expressed interest in trading for Kevin Shattenkirk.

Despite adding Goligoski, they’re not done adding to their blue line and have reportedly expressed interest in trading for Kevin Shattenkirk.

Arizona’s biggest need is a right handed defenseman who can play on the first or second pairing. Shattenkirk fits that description quite well. The Coyotes have the cap space necessary to extend Shattenkirk and they likely have what it takes to trade for him without purging their farm system.

Should Arizona make a trade for Shattenkirk, look for them to include one of their two first round picks and perhaps a mid-level prospect. The Coyotes have the seventh overall pick and the 20th overall pick that they received from the New York Rangers in the Keith Yandle trade.

Shattenkirk would be a terrific addition to the Coyotes. He had a career-high 14 goals for the St. Louis Blues during the 2015-16 season and with 44 points, reached the 40 point plateau for the fourth consecutive full season. The Blues likely can’t afford to keep him past the 2016-17 season, when he becomes a free agent.

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