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Post by thedarkangel1975 on Jun 27, 2012 11:37:39 GMT -5
On the same day that the Edmonton Oilers named Ralph Krueger as the team's new head coach, the team is also scheduled to meet with unrestricted free agent defenceman Justin Schultz.
The University of Wisconsin junior has a meeting planned with the Oilers - and other NHL teams - in Toronto Wednesday afternoon.
Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round in 2008, Schultz became an unrestricted free agent June 24th following the NHL Entry Draft after he failed to come to a contract agreement with the Ducks.
The 22-year-old from West Kelowna, BC withdrew from school following the Badgers 2011-12 season. He led all NCAA defenceman with 16 goals and 44 points and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award for the second straight season.
Coming off the selection of first overall pick Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting, the Oilers are looking to add to a young defensive core.
Beyond the top-four of Ryan Whitney, Jeff Petry, Ladislav Smid and Nick Schultz, there is the potential for Schultz to find a home on the Oilers blueline to start next season. Besides the Oilers, Schultz has been linked with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have one of Schultz's former teammates Jake Gardiner on the roster.
The New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, and Schultz's home province team, the Vancouver Canucks are among the other teams rumoured to be in the running for the 6'2, 185-pound blueliner.
The Detroit Red Wings are also expected to make a push to sign Schultz after losing defencemen Nicklas Lidstom and Brad Stuart in the offseason. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland confirmed to the Detroit News that his team will be in the running. "We've contacted his agents to express an interest in signing him," Holland said.
Schultz is eligible for a two-year deal for the entry-level maximum salary. This includes a $925,000 base salary, including $92,500 signing bonus plus $2.85m in performance bonuses for a cap hit $3.775m, according to CapGeek.com
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Post by FNG™ on Jun 27, 2012 12:25:40 GMT -5
With the Red Wings, the classiest organisation in pro sports, courting this kid, does Edmonton really stand a chance?
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Post by cunt on Jun 27, 2012 18:34:03 GMT -5
Sportscentre had a bit of coverage of the Kruger presser and they mentioned Taylor Hall will be going with management to speak with Schultz in person.
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Post by thedarkangel1975 on Jun 28, 2012 17:38:28 GMT -5
After meeting with his Newport representatives in Toronto, unrestricted free agent Justin Schultz is ready to talk to a shortlist of NHL teams bidding for his services.
And the young defenceman has narrowed down his list of suitors to the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers plan to include Taylor Hall on part of the pitch to bring Schultz aboard, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug. Coming off the selection of first overall pick Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting, Edmonton is looking to add to a young defensive core.
Beyond the top four of Ryan Whitney, Jeff Petry, Ladislav Smid and Nick Schultz, there is the potential for Schultz to find a home on the Oilers blueline to start next season. Besides the Oilers, Schultz has been linked with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have one of Schultz's former teammates Jake Gardiner on the roster.
Drafted by Anaheim in the second round in 2008, Schultz did not come to a contract agreement with the Ducks and became an unrestricted free agent following last weekend's NHL Draft. The 22-year-old from Kelowna, BC withdrew from school following the Badgers' 2011-12 season. He led all NCAA defenceman with 16 goals and 44 points and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award for the second straight season.
Schultz is eligible for a two-year deal for the entry-level maximum salary. This includes a $925,000 base salary, including $92,500 signing bonus plus $2.85 million in performance bonuses for a cap hit $3.775 million, according to CapGeek.com.
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Post by thedarkangel1975 on Jun 28, 2012 17:38:48 GMT -5
Looks like The Wings are out FNG
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Post by FNG™ on Jun 28, 2012 20:13:48 GMT -5
Yep. Looks like it.
Still surprised the Oilers are still in it.
Would be HUGE if they signed him.
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Post by thedarkangel1975 on Jun 28, 2012 21:14:51 GMT -5
yes it would. He wants to go to a team to make an immediate impact. The Oilers are a good fit for that
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Post by Smyth94 on Jun 30, 2012 15:24:42 GMT -5
and so it begins schultz sgrees to an entry level contract with the oilers
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Post by cunt on Jun 30, 2012 21:31:12 GMT -5
Wow, I'm in total shock. Definitely did not expect this and got goosebumps when I heard the announcement. With all the hype around this whole thing there will be a lot of pressure on him now.
Saw the interview with him on TSN and he was saying things like "if" he makes the team. He said the media blew the whole thing out of proportion (surprise surprise) and he was never looking for a guaranteed spot.
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Post by herbs on Jul 1, 2012 5:52:23 GMT -5
Things are starting to look up. Excited.  |
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Post by thedarkangel1975 on Jul 1, 2012 9:12:07 GMT -5
From the time Justin Schultz opted to make himself an unrestricted free agent and not sign with Anaheim, the team that drafted him, the Edmonton Oilers were always considered a prime potential landing spot.
Schultz is a talented offensive defenceman and, at age 22, is in the same new age wheelhouse as the other bright Oilers offensive stars - Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov - and having a chance to grow old together obviously appealed to Schultz. Boys on the Bus, part two if you will.
And while many made note of ex-Oiler greats Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey lobbying Schultz on behalf of the Oilers, it's believed the presence of new head coach Ralph Krueger and Taylor Hall at the Schultz meeting really helped to cement Edmonton as his choice.
But as a prospect who hasn't played a game in the NHL, Schultz still has a lot to prove, as do the cellar-dwelling Oilers, for that matter, who really need to at least contend for a playoff spot this season.
Many were miffed Schultz didn't just sign with Anaheim and he'll obviously be public enemy No. 1 in Duck Country for rejecting them while exercising his rights within the CBA. But Oiler fans might say turnabout is fair play after Chris Pronger bolted out of Edmonton and Anaheim was the beneficiary of that in 2006.
In any case, the focus will now shift to the big free-agent fish expected to be available on Sunday, the first official day of the 2012-13 season and Free Agency.
Nashville defenceman Ryan Suter will be home in Wisconsin on Sunday while his Minnesota-based agent Neil Sheehy will be fielding offers. Sheehy said Suter will go to market but Nashville still hopes to be in the mix.
New Jersey Devil captain Zach Parise flew into Toronto on Saturday and is expected to be camped out at his agents at Newport Sports in Mississauga. But New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello was scheduled to meet with Parise Saturday night in hopes of perhaps signing him before he goes to market at 12 noon ET Sunday.
New Jersey, what with its ownership and economic issues, may simply not be in a position to close a deal with Parise.
In a year where quality greatly trumps quantity for this free-agent crop, all eyes will be on Suter and Parise.
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Post by thedarkangel1975 on Jul 1, 2012 9:12:23 GMT -5
Great pick. I am excited.
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Post by Smyth94 on Jul 1, 2012 9:41:24 GMT -5
on the back end having a justin schultz and nick schultz
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Post by FNG™ on Jul 3, 2012 0:30:33 GMT -5
I'm as shocked as anyone about this.
Blown away that we picked this kid up.
I guess getting Yakupov instead of Murray was a well played plan lol
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