[opendoor]

Originally Posted by Fire

Why would he sign now when he can have the choice of any team in the league?

It'd burn a year off of his ELC so he'd become an RFA in on July 1st 2013. If he signs an ELC after the season is over it would run until June 30th, 2014. Here's an article which outlines his 3 options:

Option 1

The first possibility for Schultz would be to finish his junior season at Wisconsin (that will happen regardless), and sign a contract with Anaheim sometime this summer. Since he's turning 22 in July, he'll be signed to a two year NHL two-way contract for 2012-13 and 2013-14.

He'll receive $875,000 for each season (if he's in the NHL). He'll also receive a $87,500 signing bonus both seasons regardless of where he plays.


Option 2

Schultz finishes the season with Wisconsin and signs an entry level contract (ELC) with Anaheim the minute the Badgers season is over. This option isn't outstanding for the Ducks because it means that Schultz can become a restricted free agent earlier. Signing during this NHL season would burn a year off his ELC.

Let's say the Badgers are eliminated after the first round of the WCHA playoffs (which let's be honest, is very possible), Schultz could sign with Anaheim as soon as March 12th. Schultz would immediately receive a $87,500 signing bonus for this season.

As for salary, the NHL goes by days under contract. Schultz would spend 26 days in the NHL to end the season, and would make approximately $5,000 per day. That means he'd end up banking around $130,000 in salary. Add that to his $87,500 signing bonus and he'd end this hockey season with a cool $217,500.

Next season Schultz would receive the second year of his signing bonus (another $87,500) and an NHL salary of $875,000.

In this scenario Schultz would become a free agent a year sooner than in option one, and that obviously means his earning potential increases significantly.


Option 3

Since Schultz played a year of junior hockey after being drafted, he can become a free agent over the summer if he chooses. The NHL CBA has a loophole that says if you officially withdraw from school (simply has to tell UW he's leaving) and it's the fourth summer after you've been drafted, you can choose to become a free agent.

Not many players do this, but Jason Gregoire from North Dakota chose this route last year. Other players like Bill Sweatt from Colorado College have done the same.

In this scenario, Schultz could earn $925,000 in salary each season with a $92,500 signing bonus both years.

The obvious advantage to this would be that Justin could pick and choose where he wants to play. Being a top 10 prospect in the world, Schultz could essentially choose any team in the NHL to play for next season. Would he want to be closer to his home and play for the Vancouver Canucks? Would he want to go play with a former teammate, or choose a better situation?

http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2012...ck-for-schultz