Justin Schultz

**Goldendelicious** · May 4, 2016, 3:16 PM

I hope he plays his way into the lineup for the rest of the playoffs so I can finally trade his keester.

**SomeDude** · May 5, 2016, 12:45 PM

Schultz should be playing over Pouliot (and honestly over Maatta when healthy, but that's not going to happen) for the rest of the playoffs. Pouliot almost single-handily cost the Pens the game twice in his only OT shift. Sullivan may still favor him since he had him in Wilkes-Barre, though.

As for the off-season, it will be up to Schultz if he stays or goes with the Pens. There is no way the Pens will make a qualifying offer, so he can either take a pay cut and stick with the Pens to hopefully turn his career around, or he can become a UFA and go after the biggest deal. His history would point towards the latter, but hopefully he sees the value in sticking around. I'm not sure the Pens would have spent a 3rd rounder on a 7th/8th d-man for a few months unless they had a pretty good idea he was open to returning the next season, though.

**TeamRamrod** · May 5, 2016, 1:22 PM

Typical game for Schultz. He looked a step behind and wouldn't stay on his skates for the first few shifts (chalk it up to playoff jitters). He looked fantastic offensively, and could have come away with a few points if he'd had a little luck. I would like to think 18 min. of semi-mistake free hockey earns him another game. A 3-1 series lead takes the pressure off of Maata being pressed to come back. I would put him ahead of Pouliot, and even Cole (I thought he was a better player). I guess we'll see if he gets another game.

**TeamRamrod** · June 12, 2016, 10:57 PM

Chips in an apple in the clinching game, winning a Stanley Cup ring. Makes endouring his abuse in Edmonton that much easier. Now, does he resign?

**rataylor22** · June 12, 2016, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by TeamRamrod

Chips in an apple in the clinching game, winning a Stanley Cup ring. Makes endouring his abuse in Edmonton that much easier. Now, does he resign?

2 years, 2.5 per with Pittsburh is my prediction.

**deantime419** · June 12, 2016, 11:59 PM

I agree that a 2 years deal in PIT under 3 per should get done He may want to see what the open market has to offer though.

**Ingolo** · June 13, 2016, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by deantime419

I agree that a 2 years deal in PIT under 3 per should get done He may want to see what the open market has to offer though.

I think if the Pens make him a 2 year offer it's going to be pretty hard for him not to accept. He's still an RFA, Pittsburgh likely won't give him a qualifying offer, but I can't see many teams wanting to make too long a commitment, or sign him for much more than 3mil/year. Right now he's just won a ring with the Pens, and is being given what is probably a better opportunity for minutes than he'd see a lot of other places.