Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Ducks top prospect Justin Schultz’s season ended yesterday at the University of Wisconsin. He’s said to be considering all options including: “1. Returning to Wisco for his senior season (unlikely IMO). 2. Signing 2 yr entry level deal with ANA and burns 1st yr by playing now…” … “3. Leave school at end of semester, become UFA July 1, sign with NHL team of choice. Hearing no decision is imminent, will take his time.” … “Longer Schultz goes w/o making firm decision would appear to be bad news for ANA. Ducks want this kid in the lineup now. Talented 2nd rder.” … “If Schultz goes to UFA, it would be a major blow to ANA. If he doesn’t sign soon, logical implication is he’s going to UFA.”
Eric Stephens via twitter: “The fact that Schultz isn’t signed now with Ducks doesn’t mean he won’t or doesn’t mean he will.” … “With the loophole in possibly becoming a FA, he has another option and knows it. The Ducks knew this last year when they hoped to sign him.” … “It doesn’t mean Ducks have zero chance of signing him, nor does it mean it will be a slam dunk. Agree it’s not good the longer it takes.” … “Right now, Schultz isn’t talking. The Ducks are working on it but can’t talk since he’s still in college. He has to say he’s leaving school.” … “Of course, Schultz doesn’t have to declare and wait if he so chooses. Either something will shake loose this week or it could be a while.” … “Understand that he’s a hot topic. As much as we want things to happen right now, sometimes situations have to play out. Simple as that.”
Via HockeysFuture.com
History
2007-08: Little known at the start of the season, Schultz’s offensive upside was high enough that some experts were seeing him as a potential first rounder in the draft. Schultz had 40 points in 57 games for Westside, and was named the Top Defenseman of his conference in the BCHL, which is no small feat for a 17-year-old.
2008-09: In his final season playing in the BCHL, Schultz posted 15 goals, 35 assists, and 29 penalty minutes in 49 games. He also managed 7 powerplay goals.
2009-10: Playing on a Wisconsin defense that is one of the deepest in the country, Schultz was able to step in as a freshman and make a contribution. He even logged some power-play minutes, finishing the season with 6 goals (including 5 on the powerplay), 16 assists, and 12 penalty minutes through 43 games.
2010-11: Schultz was one of the top defenseman in college hockey as a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin. In 41 games for the Badgers he scored 18 goals with 29 assists and was +16 with 28 PMs; scoring 9 of his 18 goals on the power play. Schultz was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the WCHA and NCAA West First all-star teams. The Badgers finished an uncharacteristic seventh in the WCHA; falling to Colorado College in a tightly-contested three-game first round playoff series.
Talent Analysis
Justin Schultz has been one of the finest rearguards in the nation two seasons running. He has a complete offensive game, capable of igniting plays from his own zone, carrying the puck through the neutral zone and making confident, creative plays in the offensive zone. He has shown a strong commitment to improving his defensive game and strength, although he will never be a physical force.
Future
Schultz faces all the challenges a thinner defenseman faces trying to make the leap to the NHL, as well as an adjustment to the 82-game schedule. Nonetheless, he possesses such a comprehensive skill set and sound work ethic that it hardly seems like a reach to project him as a top-four defenseman.