DALLAS — Kevin Shattenkirk has played 12 seasons in the NHL, including the past two with the Ducks. But until this one he had never played all 82 games, coming as close as 81 in 2011-12 and 2013-14 while with the St. Louis Blues and 80 while with the Blues and Washington Capitals in 2016-17.
So, it was a point of pride to suit up Friday for the Ducks’ season finale against the Dallas Stars. Shattenkirk, a 33-year-old defenseman, was the only member of the Ducks to play all 82 games this season. Jamie Drysdale, a 20-year-old defenseman, played 81 games.
“In the 81-game seasons that I had, I missed one game each because of a stomach bug and I just couldn’t get to the rink and play,” Shattenkirk said. “You realize how hard it is to play a full season. It’s something I’m proud of, especially at this stage of my career and being able to stay in the lineup.”
Shattenkirk went into Friday’s game against Dallas with eight goals and 27 assists, roughly matching the eight goals and 26 assists he had with the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019-20, a bounce-back season after a couple of lean ones with the New York Rangers.
He signed a three-year contract with the Ducks before the pandemic-shortened, 56-game season in 2020-21. He came down with COVID-19 during the fall of 2020 and never produced as expected (or needed), with two goals and 13 assists in 55 games last season.
Despite the Ducks’ lack of success again this season, Shattenkirk said he felt encouraged by the progress the team made. The Ducks did challenge for a playoff berth for roughly half of the season before falling out of contention after the All-Star break Feb. 4-5. Strides have been taken.
“I think the biggest lesson for a lot of our young guys this year is that they’ve learned that after Game 60 is when things get hard,” he said. “Everyone starts to play their best hockey. The mental grind of the season gets to wear on you at that point. There’s no way to really learn that lesson until you do it a few times.”
Shattenkirk’s role has been enhanced since Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek traded Hampus Lindholm to the Boston Bruins and Josh Manson to the Colorado Avalanche before the March 21 deadline. Shattenkirk has played a fair bit on the penalty-killing unit, too.
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“Getting some penalty-killing time has been great, something I’ve enjoyed,” Shattenkirk said. “I hadn’t done it since early in my career. I think it’s a great way for any player to get yourself going in a game if things aren’t going your way. It’s a chance to work hard and do simple things.
“I think playing with Simon (Benoit) and playing with Josh Mahura has been good for me because they’re young, budding defensemen, and being able to help them along and, hopefully, teach them a few things. Jamie is another young guy. I think it’s been a good year.
“I’m definitely happy with the way things have gone.”
THE NEWEST DUCK
Defenseman Cam Fowler didn’t play in Tuesday’s game against the San Jose Sharks or Friday’s game against the Stars in order to be with his wife, Jasmine, who delivered the couple’s first child, Charlie Perry Fowler, on Tuesday. Fowler set career highs with 33 assists and 42 points in 76 games this season.