Report: Sabres GM addresses crazy rumors surrounding Shattenkirk

When star defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk hit the free-agent market on July 1st, his agent’s phone blew up with calls and messages. There was no shortage of interest in the 28 year-old blue liner, but ultimately he decided to return home to New York and sign with the Rangers, even if it meant turning down bigger offers elsewhere.

One of those rumored offers was with the Buffalo Sabres. While Sabres GM Jason Botterill hasn’t denied tabling an offer to Shattenkirk, Buffalo News reporter John Vogl managed to get him to open up regarding the rumors of a seven-year offer for Shattenkirk:

Tough to say whether or not Botterill is bluffing, but we’ll take him at his word here. He’s made it no secret that his top priority this offseason is stabilizing the Sabres blue line, and certainly Shattenkirk would have helped in that regards. Nevertheless, the Sabres swung out regardless of what their offer was. Botterill has done well in revamping the team’s back end with the additions of Nathan Beaulieu and Marco Scandella earlier in the offseason.