Thoughts on Justin Schultz (with McDavid on the team now)

[SeaDawg]

What is your opinion of Justin Schultz now that McDavid will be an Oiler?

I know the guy can't play defense, but that power play will be incredibly formidable. Hall, Eberle, McDavid, Yakupov, Schultz...everyone is gonna get some points.

What do you expect from him next year?

Are you worried that Edmonton will bring in a #1 dman who will take all of Schultz' pp time away?

Schultz is a pending RFA, so maybe he isn't even in the Oilers' long-term plans.

I'd love to hear some opinions from others.

Thanks.

[Oakville Squires]

I think there is a lot to like about Schultz's situation right now. He went from likely having to compete with Hanifan for the long-term PP quarterback spot to being in the drivers seat and this past year was only his 2nd full season (excluding the lock-out year) so there is still time for him to grow as a player and hopefully reach his potential. The big question is whether the Oilers decide to stick with Schultz for next year (which I hope they will do) or whether they make a big trade for a legitimate #1 PP quarterback / sign someone in the offseason (like Franson). Either way I see Schultz value much higher right now then it was before the oilers secured McDavid.

[TeamRamrod]

With or without McDavid, I think Schultz's value goes up. Another year older, stronger and hopefully wiser. I agree with the poster above, McDavid doesn't hurt, as, if they were picking third, Hanifin would take away from potential PP time. What Edmonton needs is a strong defensively sound D partner for Schultz (Methot comes to mind). Allow him to play his game and learn the defensive side. With that I think when your playing for a contract, like Schultz is, it serves as good motivation.

[Reuben]

I still maintain what another poster put so eloquently about a year ago..:

If you think Schultz will be a bust, then you're pretty much also saying that Hall, RNH, Eberle, Yakupov, (now McDavid) will be busts too.

He's the PP quarterback in Edmonton, and they've never really strayed from that. From a points-perspective, Schultz is worth keeping your eye on.

[27Blue]

Schultz's problems lie with him and his deficencies as an NHL defenceman. Don't see McDavid changing that.

[notch4077]

Nothing that I've seen from Schultz in the NHL will ever make me want him on my fantasy roster. He's just that bad. All my leagues are multi-category so he is as bad as they come in those formats.

[Front89]

Depends on who they choose as head coach...the current coach stuck with Schultz all season, but a new coach may have a different perspective and plans...

[SeaDawg]

Well, I decided to trade him. Thanks for the opinions, everyone.

I had to decide between keeping him or Stepan for the team in my sig. I'm not thrilled with either, especially because they are both RFAs. In the end I may release Stepan outright, but at least I was able to get a minor asset in return for Schultz, whereas Stepan's value in this particular league is extremely low.

[lobo1969]

Well, I decided to trade him. Thanks for the opinions, everyone.

I had to decide between keeping him or Stepan for the team in my sig. I'm not thrilled with either, especially because they are both RFAs. In the end I may release Stepan outright, but at least I was able to get a minor asset in return for Schultz, whereas Stepan's value in this particular league is extremely low.

I think its a good move. The luster of Schultz has worn off in Edmonton fan's eyes. He is not a dangerous point shooter and Edmonton can ice better PP quarterbacks (forwards) on the blue line if they want. His D-zone deficiencies are well documented at this point and not really improving unless he can be pared with a very good stay at home type D partner...

[Shake]

A couple nuggets for thought....and these are just my own thoughts..

MacTavish indicated in his presser that they need to be a better defensive team all-around. Now, If MacTavish is still the GM in the coming weeks / months my feeling is they will go out and trade for a #1D or at least an upgrade ( in their mind over Schultz ) to speed up their build now that they have the offensive pieces in place. Of course they still need to address the goalie position, but I do personally feel they go get a D.

If I own Schultz on my fantasy team and I have a chance to upgrade there I do it and use him in a trade using the selling aspect of Edmonton having McDavid and how his value will rise. I just do not personally think he'll be an Oiler next year. Just a hunch.

What is your opinion of Justin Schultz now that McDavid will be an Oiler?

I know the guy can't play defense, but that power play will be incredibly formidable. Hall, Eberle, McDavid, Yakupov, Schultz...everyone is gonna get some points.

What do you expect from him next year?

Are you worried that Edmonton will bring in a #1 dman who will take all of Schultz' pp time away?

Schultz is a pending RFA, so maybe he isn't even in the Oilers' long-term plans.

I'd love to hear some opinions from others.

Thanks.

[STLblues]

The thing is besides his lack of ability to play in his own end.....Schultz isn't even a huge boost to a PP....as other posters stated.....i dont even think he will be in EDM next season if MacT can find a suitor.

[poolsharks]

As a Schultz owner , he is NOT going anywhere soon . If he flops , I'll lick my wounds . High potential reward IMO .

[pmorrow]

As a Schultz owner , he is NOT going anywhere soon . If he flops , I'll lick my wounds . High potential reward IMO .

I think he can be fixed. They said Gardiner would never get it but he really turned the corner at the end of this year (lost in all of the terribleness of the Leafs season). I dont imagine Schultz will be winning the Norris any time soon as the Oilers mgmt might have predicted but I think he can be an acceptable defender plus elite offensive defenseman. What the Oil need is a guy with a big slapper on the point. Maybe Phaneuf or another unwanted dman can do that.

[SeaDawg]

I guess my personal concern with Schultz is that his only real value is as a pp specialist and if Edmonton brings in a better option (e.g., Franson as a UFA), then Schultz might be relegated to the second unit. He doesn't have a very good slapshot, so someone like Franson on the point with four forwards makes a lot of sense to me.

Anyway, I've moved on. Was a bit of a tough call for me but I was able to get something minor for him and I had to release either him or Stepan.

I do agree that it is a classic boom-or-bust situation with Schultz, but I feel it has been that way since he entered the NHL and that this is his last season to figure it out (assuming he even gets a chance to do so).

[poolsharks]

Right , amen :-)

I guess my personal concern with Schultz is that his only real value is as a pp specialist and if Edmonton brings in a better option (e.g., Franson as a UFA), then Schultz might be relegated to the second unit. He doesn't have a very good slapshot, so someone like Franson on the point with four forwards makes a lot of sense to me.

Anyway, I've moved on. Was a bit of a tough call for me but I was able to get something minor for him and I had to release either him or Stepan.

I do agree that it is a classic boom-or-bust situation with Schultz, but I feel it has been that way since he entered the NHL and that this is his last season to figure it out (assuming he even gets a chance to do so).