David Backes departs this summer via free agency. Blueshirts center Derick Brassard might be an option, though he doesn't have quite the same value as Shattenkirk.

Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports' Greg Wynshynski reports Rangers UFA center Eric Staal isn't ruling out a possible return with the Blueshirts or his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes. The 31-year-old is hoping to join a club where he can play a vital role, something he didn't have during his brief tenure this season with the Rangers. While he knows he won't get another lucrative long-term deal like his current seven-year, $57.75-million deal, he's hoping to find a fair deal.

Given the ongoing decline in Staal's performance, however, he could be disappointed with what he finds in this summer's free-agent market. The Edmonton Journal's Jim Mathesonbelieves anyone paying the former Hurricanes captain more than $4 million annually on a three-year deal hasn't paid attention to his game in recent years.

WILD COULD TARGET MINNESOTA-BORN UFAs

In his season-ending press conference, Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher claims he's got enough salary-cap room for next season to bolster his roster with a player or two. If Fletcher decides to go the free-agent route Chad Graff of The Pioneer Press notes Minnesota natives Kyle Okposo of the New York Islanders and David Backes of the St. Louis Blues could be available this summer.

Graff also points out Fletcher could free up more salary-cap room by buying out under-performing left winger Thomas Vanek, who has a year left on his contract worth $6.5 million. The Wild GM considers buyout talk