University of Wisconsin star and highly sought after defenseman Justin Schultz has decided that he will begin his NHL career on the blue line of the Edmonton Oilers. Schultz, a UFA after going four years without signing a contract with the team that drafted him in '08, the Anaheim Ducks, had 29 teams interested in services, but he narrowed his options down to short list of reportedly six squads and then made his final decision today. The two-way defender generated so much interest from NHL teams because after three impressive years at Wisconsin, many scouts believe he is already jump into a pro roster and eat up top four defense pairing minutes. Some even think he's already top two material. Whether you believe the hype or not, the Oilers have certainly acquired a great hockey player and added a huge piece to their future.Schultz brings an instant injection of youth and promise to the Oilers' defense corps, an atrocious blue line once headlined by Ryan Whitney. Though Edmonton still has a lot of work to do shaping up their defense before they can consider making a run at the Stanley Cup, the addition of Schultz means they do not have to wait a whole year to draft a top defender in the draft. Basically, it puts them one more step ahead in terms of becoming an elite franchise in the NHL than they were a day ago. Now, Justin Schultz' decision does not necessarily indicate that he wants to win now, but it shows an interest and dedication to reviving one of the most historic clubs in hockey history.
Some people scoffed at the fact that Edmonton drafted another forward #1 overall at this year's draft instead of targeting their shortcomings on the blue line and between the pipes. One can't help but wonder what those people saying how "mismanaged" the Oilers franchise is are saying now. Even though they were already stacked with young, offensive juggernauts like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sam Gagner, and Nail Yakupov, now that Edmonton has added a premier defense prospect to their ranks, the Oilers can now truly be treated as "on the rise".
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| Welcome to OIL Country, Justin Schultz |
