The Kevin Shattenkirk injury announcement was an unexpected gut punch to the New York Rangers no matter how you slice it. In recent weeks Shattenkirk was starting to hear some criticism for his disappearing offense, but the injury news adds some context to the situation. If he was undergoing treatments and injections, the hot start and subsequent fade off completely makes sense.
The Rangers are going to be without their star free agent acquisition for an indefinite amount of time, and there may be one small sliver of a silver lining.
The injury to Shattenkirk creates an open roster spot, but more importantly an opportunity on the right hand side.