When looking for the NHL’s next legendary defenseman, many candidates come to mind.  Erik Karlsson, Alex Pietrangelo, and Kris Letang are all poised to become future hall of famers.  Yet one name quickly racing up the ranks to contend with these giants is young Kevin Shattenkirk of the St. Louis Blues.

Like his defensive partner Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk is a born offensive defenseman.  Although he plays well both ways, his talent lies in the offensive aspects of the game.  It is his playmaking abilities that most fantasy owners will be looking for.  He moves the puck with skill, joins the rush with the speed, and is an integral part of the Blues’ power play.

Coming in at just 5’11” and 208 lbs. Shattenkirk is not the largest blueliner in the league, but he is quick and excellent with the puck.  What he lacks in size he makes up for in skill, as shown by his 43 points and plus 20 rating during his second full season as an NHL player.

His smaller size and less physical style of play also means less production in two key categories for defensemen: hits and penalty minutes.  During the 2011-2012 season Shattenkirk spent a mere 60 minutes in the penalty box.  He was also only credited with a paltry 72 hits.

Fantasy owners will like Shattenkirk for the solid points he is capable of accruing over the course of the season.  Like most offensive d-men the majority of these points will be assists, so he will be especially valuable if your team is heavy with goal-scorers.  Shattenkirk also likes to fire the puck often.  If shots on goal are counted in your league, he is a good pick for your defensive corps.

Shattenkirk is a rising star on a great team looking to build on last season’s breakout success.  While he won’t record a staggering number of penalty minutes, his offensive aptitude should provide solid stats in the assist, power play point, and shots on goal categories.  Shattenkirk should be available in the fourth or fifth round, which is the right time to draft him.