from Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun,

Kevin Shattenkirk’s ties to the New York City area — he’s from New Rochelle and played kids hockey in a Devils-sponsored program — might be calling him home come Saturday’s opening of free-agent shopping.

The Devils and Buffalo Sabres seem to come up the most as people plot the most likely destination for July 1’s marquee player, but the Rangers still have some cap space after getting Brendan Smith to stay and, as always, covet name players.

But Jersey general manager Ray Shero is looking to make his own splash after his team has been five years out of the playoffs, the club’s longest stretch since the 1980s. It needs Shattenkirk’s offence.

Karl Alzner, another defenceman of note, is looking at a couple of Canadian teams, possibly Montreal and Winnipeg.

“Upwards or close to 10 teams,” have phoned agent J.P. Barry during the allotted UFA contact period this week the latter told nhl.com.

Ex-Rangers defenceman Dan Girardi is said to favour Tampa Bay as his next address.

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