Reports: Rangers buy out Shattenkirk's contract

The New York Rangers made a big salary-shedding move Wednesday by buying out defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk's contract, multiple outlets reported. The 30-year-old had two years remaining on a four-year, $26.6 million extension he signed in July 2017.

The buyout will save the Rangers $5.17 million this season, with $1.48 million counting against the salary cap, according to CapFriendly.com. The cap hit balloons to more than $6 million in 2020-21, however. Shattenkirk tallied two goals (a career low) and 26 assists in 73 games in 2018-19.

Shattenkirk was a first-round pick by Colorado in 2007 and an All-Star with St. Louis in 2015. He has 349 points (75 goals, 274 assists) in 609 career games with the Avalanche, Blues, Washington Capitals and Rangers.