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capsfan26

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Forum: Armchair-GMJul. 27, 2021 at 11:10 a.m.
Thread: Major changes in the next 72 hours
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>capsfan26</b></div><div>I knew it didn't end great for him there but wasn't sure how bad it was. I was trying to figure out another team that's a playoff contender who could use a RHD. I'm sure there are others and would be curious to know what other teams might be interested. I know Vancouver wants to beef up on D but they need to move contracts to do that (coincidentally ex-Capitals Holtby and Schmidt), but Capitals can't take back more salary this year than they send out so I don't think that's an option. Calgary seems to need LHD not RHD. I'm sure there are others that could use someone like Schultz - I thought he'd be a perfect fit for Seattle in the expansion draft as a reasonable cap hit for a top-four offensive defenseman who could easily be moved for picks at the deadline if Seattle wasn't in playoff contention. But I can't figure out what Seattle's plan is at all after the expansion draft unless they are making a run at Landeskog and Hamilton tomorrow.</div></div>

Schultz was sought after by quite a few teams once Anaheim's rights to him expired. I'm not sure, but it is rumored that he was guaranteed top-4 minutes when he signed with the Oilers and perhaps that is why he chose Edmonton over numerous other options that were available to him. IIRC his first season was interrupted by a lock out, and so he played in the AHL and was dominant, along with Hall, RNH, and Eberle. That raised expectations, and although he looked capable of meeting those expectations during his first few NHL games, his defensive deficiencies became rather glaring soon after. Oiler fans had/have no patience, and Schultz, like Tom Gilbert, Jeff Petry, and others, suffered punishing scrutiny. When he was traded, I'm sure he was very happy to be done with Edmonton.

Maybe Oiler fans have tempered their expectations. Many were quite happy with Tyson Barrie, although it seems most would prefer his time in Edmonton to be over. Like Barrie, Justin Schultz makes no pretensions to be anything other than what he is. He brings value to teams looking for a more offensively oriented d-man. Edmonton is not a good destination for him though. His history there is not positive, and the team already has a couple of young RHD capable of providing what Schultz provides. What they need is a big, physical, and nasty top 4 RHD.