[Signing] Oilers sign Justin Schultz to one year deal ($3.675 mil)

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Schultz is a bigger, more mobile version of Marc Andre Bergeron without the shot from the point. Norris potential is laughable.

I dont think MAB ever set foot on the ice 5-on-5, and if he did it was either an oversight, a mistake or a desperation move.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont think MAB ever set foot on the ice 5-on-5, and if he did it was either an oversight, a mistake or a desperation move.

They should employ the same rule with Schultz

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

They should employ the same rule with Schultz

They're probably fooled by his proficiency at rolling around like a dog.

[browna]

I have little doubt that MacT is pumping up Schultz in order to get him to stay after next year. I don't doubt that they wanted a longer term deal, but Schultz said no.

Remember all the stops that Lowe pulled (Gretzky, Coffey to call him) to get him to come to Edmonton? I am guessing this is a pity deal from Schultz/ combo of another mini Comrie situation.

That was where Lowe tried to guilt Comrie into his second contract at a LOWER rate saying that Comrie "owed" the Oilers for giving him such a good rookie contract. Lowe's future actions regarding Comrie proved that. Schultz either feels obligated, or pushed from Lowe to be obligated to give the Oilers another year.

This time, Lowe reminds Schultz of how far he personally stuck his neck out to get him a few years back, and begs for Schultz to stay another year/says whatever it takes to have him stay and Schultz feels a tinge of guilt and signs a 1 year deal.

The message to pump up Schultz then is instructed to be passed on down the line in the organization, so Mactavish with the first salvo.

Lowe has promised a lot of players a lot of things that he hasn't followed through on, and that untrustfullness is reason #1 that the team can't and hasn't been able to attract FA's or have guys waive clauses to go there because most in the PA know he's two faced.

My guess is playing a similar game with Schultz to hopefully indoctrinate him over the next year and have him reconsider a long term deal next year...or, just as likely, desperately wanting to keep him in the fold now and tell him all things about being the long term guy, then using him as a trading chip sometime after Xmas (starting the process all over again with another schmuk) while making passing, bitter references, cutting down the player after he leaves town. It's the Lowe way.

[nik-]

^ he's still an RFA after next year and I'm guessing after another year of exposure the Oilers are going to be the only team that will offer term and money. MacT has nothing to worry about, Schultz won't bolt and he'll have the opportunity to overpay him next year on some ridiculous term.

[driveway]

If Schultz was on the flames and we were paying him this much money a season to be our pp specialist and number four d-man, I'd be more than fine with that.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by driveway

If Schultz was on the flames and we were paying him this much money a season to be our pp specialist and number four d-man, I'd be more than fine with that.

He'd be our #6 ahead of Engelland though

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by driveway

If Schultz was on the flames and we were paying him this much money a season to be our pp specialist and number four d-man, I'd be more than fine with that.

he isn't even close to being a #4 d-man

[PeteMoss]

Brief list of current NHL defenseman who haven't won the Norris trophy:

Drew Doughty
Shea Weber
Ryan Suter
Oliver Ekman-Larsson


Schultz is not winning a Norris trophy and he will not ever come close.

[squiggs96]

I really enjoyed the espn headline over this signing: "Schultz agrees with Oilers after career year".

From the article:

Schultz, 24, had a career year last season for Edmonton, collecting 11 goals and 33 points, both career highs.

In typical espn fashion, they fail to know that his first "year" was the lockout shortened season, and he only played 48 games. He had more goals and assists per game in his rookie year, and his PPG dropped from 4 to 1 in his second year. His +/- rose (dropped?) from -17 to -22 in the second year.

In every metric Schultz was worse in his second year than his rookie year. I guess by career year espn did not say his greatest career year. They could have meant worst.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by browna

I have little doubt that MacT is pumping up Schultz in order to get him to stay after next year. I don't doubt that they wanted a longer term deal, but Schultz said no.

Remember all the stops that Lowe pulled (Gretzky, Coffey to call him) to get him to come to Edmonton? I am guessing this is a pity deal from Schultz/ combo of another mini Comrie situation.

That was where Lowe tried to guilt Comrie into his second contract at a LOWER rate saying that Comrie "owed" the Oilers for giving him such a good rookie contract. Lowe's future actions regarding Comrie proved that. Schultz either feels obligated, or pushed from Lowe to be obligated to give the Oilers another year.

This time, Lowe reminds Schultz of how far he personally stuck his neck out to get him a few years back, and begs for Schultz to stay another year/says whatever it takes to have him stay and Schultz feels a tinge of guilt and signs a 1 year deal.

The message to pump up Schultz then is instructed to be passed on down the line in the organization, so Mactavish with the first salvo.

Lowe has promised a lot of players a lot of things that he hasn't followed through on, and that untrustfullness is reason #1 that the team can't and hasn't been able to attract FA's or have guys waive clauses to go there because most in the PA know he's two faced.

My guess is playing a similar game with Schultz to hopefully indoctrinate him over the next year and have him reconsider a long term deal next year...or, just as likely, desperately wanting to keep him in the fold now and tell him all things about being the long term guy, then using him as a trading chip sometime after Xmas (starting the process all over again with another schmuk) while making passing, bitter references, cutting down the player after he leaves town. It's the Lowe way.

Quite the imagination you have.