Frozen Fantasy: Is Shattenkirk Selfish or Smart?

Selfish or smart? Kevin Shattenkirk is one of those two things and the hockey community just can't decide.

I err to the former, but that's just me.

News broke this week that the soon-unrestricted Shattenkirk refused a big contract extension with the Bolts, so a trade fell through. And then came news that he'd done the same to the Oilers last summer.

Neither team wanted a rental. Shattenkirk wanted nothing to do with them.

He wants his cake and to eat it, too.

Shattenkirk isn't the first guy to do this. Steven Stamkos refused to sign a contract during the season, choosing instead to test the market. He ultimately re-upped with the Bolts at the same price they'd offered before free agency.

So why does this one seem selfish when compared to Stammer?

Defensemen might just be the most valuable commodity in hockey. Shattenkirk is a top-five fantasy defender who can play in both ends of the ice and is particularly effective on the power play.

And he knows it. Maybe it's the cocky approach that grates me the wrong way.

I get the Edmonton refusal. Everyone seems to do that. But the return for the Blues would have been Taylor Hall.

Now, he sure would have looked good as a Blue.

The Tampa extension refusal is a bit peculiar to me. The Bolts are close and they offered him a seven-year deal worth $6 million a season. It's a tax-free state, so that $6 mil is worth a whole lot more than $6 mil any other place.

Shattenkirk is a talented dude. I just wish I didn't have that nagging feeling that he's a jerk.

I worry he's just not as good as he thinks he is. After all, elite defenders surround him in St. Louis. How much of his value is his own? How much is bolstered by his surroundings?

Gulp. I'm starting to believe the Bolts and the Oil will be better off without him.

Now, let's look at who caught my eye this week.

Brian Campbell, D, Chicago (16 percent Yahoo owned) - Plus-minus alert! Campbell is plus-10 in his last five games. He's not doing much else, but good things seem to happen when he's on the ice. Grab him if you need help in a single category.

Ryan Hartman, LW/RW, Chicago (4 percent) - Whoa – this guy was ranked 10th in Yahoo Standard league production for the week ending Friday. Seriously. Hartman is gritty and determined, and he absolutely HATES to lose. He has five goals (six points) in his last nine games and 15 in 56 games, and 27 PIM in his last five. He's available in far too many leagues.

Leo Komarov, LW/RW/C, Toronto (19 percent) - Uncle Leo has had a relatively quiet season – his 2016-17 is a whole lot more like his 2014-15 than his 2015-16. But he's been hitting the score sheet a lot lately, including a five-game, seven-point (two goals, five assists) streak that was snapped Thursday night. Komarov will always be a hit machine (if your league counts that stat) and he can skate with star players. He's a definite watch list guy for those times when he streaks.

Curtis McElhinney, G, Toronto (4 percent) - Frederik Andersen has been a busy man in Toronto. In part, it's because original backup Jonas Enroth was awful, but in part because the Great Dane craves time in the blue paint. Still, I expect the veteran McElhinny to get solid playing time going forward and there's real value in that. He delivered a shutout win in his last start and is worth a roll of the dice.

Mathieu Perreault, LW/C, Winnipeg (3 percent) - Being a third wheel usually sucks. But not in Perreault's case – he's the third wheel on a line beside Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine, and that means points, points and more points. Perreault is on a four-game, six-point streak (two goals, four assists) with 11 shots and a plus-5 rating in that span. Go get this third wheel. NOW.

Mikko Rantanen, LW/RW, Colorado (7 percent) - 2015 was an excellent draft year. And Rantanen, who has taken 10th overall, could just be that draft class' fourth-best forward after Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. Rantanen has eight goals in his last 14 games and 11 points in that span. And moreover, he's the reason why Avs' brass is looking at trading Gabriel Landeskog and maybe even Matt Duchene. THAT'S impressive.

Nick Ritchie, LW, Anaheim (6 percent) - The pride of Orangeville is a big boy with great hands, and he's been showing off his passing skills on the Quacks' top line. Ritchie has a three-game, four-assist streak on the go and he could deliver short-term value. He comes with a huge caveat – Patrick Eaves' arrival in Anaheim could push Ritchie off the top line and that would be a huge blow to any potential production.

Nick Schmaltz, LW/C, Chicago (4 percent) - Schmaltz is an outstanding playmaker, something he showed off last season while centering the NCAA's top offensive line in North Dakota (Schmaltz, Brock Boeser and Drake Caggiula). Now, he's skating with Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik, and the trio has been perhaps the NHL's hottest line in the last week or so. Schmaltz is on a three-game, six-point streak heading into action Sunday. And he has nine of his 16 points this season (42 games) in his last seven games. That's hot. Get him on your roster fast.

Trevor van Riemsdyk, D, Chicago (1 percent) - TVR has been a smooth-skating, D-first blue liner during his short career. But he's shown a bit off offensive flair of late – van Riemsdyk has four points, including a couple of goals, and a plus-8 rating in eight games. He's playing alongside Brian Campbell and that has given the kid some real confidence to jump into the play. His upside is ultimately limited, but right now, he can give you a short-term boost.

Back to Shattenkirk.

There's one thing about the Blues defender that really bothers me. He clearly knows where he wants to go. And it doesn't have to be a winner.

Anyone who seems to do something purely for the money has always grated me. Shattenkirk will get his money. And in the process, he'll screw over the Blues.

I'd still own him in fantasy. But I wouldn't touch him with a 30-foot pole for my on-ice team.

Until next week.