Justin Schultz

[Bluejaka]

What are the thoughts on Schultz for this season? Does he finally become the Oilers PP QB that they thought he would be? Any thoughts on what he signs for? Arbitration hearing is July 24.

[fungchen3]

I still believe in Schultz offensively. He has 50-55 point potential.

[sharpp87]

I still beleive the same thing !

With McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle, Hall, Yakupov, Draisaitl around he should produce a lot.

I'm not trading this guy before I see how it goes. !

[tobias]

For me, his cap hit better not be north of $4 million, or else I wouldn't be taking the risk. You can get other guys (Shattenkirk, Klingberg, Giordano, Carlson, Hedman, Josi, Krug) in and around that price tag who I trust a whole heck of a lot more than Justin Schultz. Yes, Edmonton's power play should be better, and there are points to be had there. However, depending on your categories, Schultz is a guy who was -17 last season, -22 the season before, only had 122 SOG last season, and 109 SOG the season before. Oh, and only 12 and 16 PIM each season, respectively.

Depending on your cap situation, your team make-up, and your league categories, I would try to take any of the guys who I mentioned above first (for a similar salary). I haven't even mentioned yet how the addition of Sekera, and potential impact of a Klefbom and/or Nurse could impact Schultz's TOI and expended PP opportunities.

[2014olympicgold]

Right now it’s a battle between Shultz and Klefbom for PP1 partner duties with Sekera. You don’t bring him in and not try him on the PP1

[Bass56]

I think the PP1 is Schultz' to lose.

With the talent growing in Edmonton, I expect him to hit 35-40 this year. Anything more would be a sweet bonus, but he is capable considering the weapons at hand!

[Rodgort]

Probably around $4 million, but he is so awful defensively. I heard the Oilers may just go to arb, see what he is awarded and then possibly let him walk. There were a couple twitter rumours out there saying that.

If he stays he should be on PP1, so could put up 40+ points. Just expect an awful +/-, low pims, low shots, and low hits. But immense entertainment when you watch him try to read a defensive play in his own end

[mounD]

These people who think Schultz is destined for PP1 are delusional. They're paying Sekera big $$ over term to play those minutes, and Sekera is going to be their horse in all situations, including PP1. I would imagine they'll go with 4 forwards, just due to the sheer number of talented forwards they can load up with on a sweet #1 unit. Schultz definitely has some upside, but he's been pretty garbage overall and he's quickly getting passed up on the depth chart with guys like Klefbom arguably already there, and Darnell Nurse probably fast approaching.

I don't really think the future is too bright for Schultz. It's not like we're talking about some 21 year old kid here. Upside, but the window is dwindling slowly.

[STLblues]

These people who think Schultz is destined for PP1 are delusional. They're paying Sekera big $$ over term to play those minutes, and Sekera is going to be their horse in all situations, including PP1. I would imagine they'll go with 4 forwards, just due to the sheer number of talented forwards they can load up with on a sweet #1 unit. Schultz definitely has some upside, but he's been pretty garbage overall and he's quickly getting passed up on the depth chart with guys like Klefbom arguably already there, and Darnell Nurse probably fast approaching.

I don't really think the future is too bright for Schultz. It's not like we're talking about some 21 year old kid here. Upside, but the window is dwindling slowly.

This is perfect advice guys...I'm serious listen to this it's 100% accurate!

Mound the only thing that gives me sliver of pause...and I do mean just a sliver......anytime I watched an oiler game last year it seemed like the by far the two guys that could carry the puck across the blue line into the offensive zone most often and best were Hall and Schultz...maybe I just caught some errant games I was wondering your thoughts on this....

+1 if I can

[Reuben]

These people who think Schultz is destined for PP1 are delusional. They're paying Sekera big $$ over term to play those minutes, and Sekera is going to be their horse in all situations, including PP1. I would imagine they'll go with 4 forwards, just due to the sheer number of talented forwards they can load up with on a sweet #1 unit. Schultz definitely has some upside, but he's been pretty garbage overall and he's quickly getting passed up on the depth chart with guys like Klefbom arguably already there, and Darnell Nurse probably fast approaching.

I don't really think the future is too bright for Schultz. It's not like we're talking about some 21 year old kid here. Upside, but the window is dwindling slowly.

I'm not going to fully disagree, as I also think Sekera presents a big obstacle to Schultz and has PP QB skills. But I also distinctly recall Chiarelli saying, after the Sekera signing, that Sekera was ideally a 2nd-PP guy who could fill in on the top unit. Obviously Chiarelli isn't the coach, but I do think it's not a given that Sekera is the QB on the first unit. I still think Schultz gets a very good shot there.

Chiarelli here http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...einhart-nurse/

"He’s a real versatile D. Very strong. He could play in our top pair if need be. You’d like to spread it out so he could be a lynchpin in the second pair. Plays both sides. Played most of the year on the left but when he was traded he went to his right. Plays first or second powerplay, probably natural on the second pair. Lot of options with him. He is a first-pairing defenceman, it’s a tool the coach has to put him in the first pair. Doesn’t mean he has to be in the first pair. With him it’s about versatility, he’s very strong, he’s just a solid player who has good sense with the puck, he can play a lot of positions, he can defend and he can push the puck"

[YzermansLegacy]

You can put me in the camp that has massive reservations over Schultz ever fulfilling the potential he showed in the A.

Sekera or not, I was able to catch more than a handful of Oiler games this past season, and as a Schultz owner, naturally zeroed in on him a little more due to the investment. And while there were certainly glimpses of the skill he has, I admittedly was left feeling as though he could not command a PP1 as the lone defender without a big shooter beside him. I was also left unconvinced that his offensive upside was going to keep being enough to cover his defensive deficiencies, something that I'd be even more worried about with Todd M behind the bench now.

I'm not saying he won't put up some points, nor that he doesn't have serious offensive "potential"... but until I see something different in him this season, I'm really unconvinced he's ever going to reach it.

[chuckcouples]

I think the addition of Sekera to the Oilers lineup is going to do nothing but help Schultz. Schultz is an all offense type of dman. He can skate and pass the puck better than 99% of the dmen in the NHL. Having Sekera is going to allow Schultz to play a lot less defense and to be able to put up more points. Schultz is going to see a large decrease in his TOI but will still be the PP QB of the 1st unit. I am guessing he approaches 50 points next season. The peripheral stats including shots, blocks, hits, +/- will all be pretty average but the points will be very good.

I am not sure how many more years until he becomes a UFA but my guess is that he ends up with a one year contract identical to his last contract.

[JimmyCanuck]

I still believe in Schultz offensively. He has 50-55 point potential.

Agree with this. Assuming he re-signs, next year should be the breakout to 40-45 points.

[tobias]

1 year, 3.9 million.

[Goldendelicious]

I was happy to see him slip in my dynasty draft. I even offered him up around the league and not one GM had interest, which shocked me. I hope he can produce towards his potential and be the late round steal. McLellan coming to the team will help out in a big way as well.