Justin Schultz, the highly-touted Anaheim Ducks defensive prospect, could become an unrestricted free agent as early as June 22.
As TSN’s Bob McKenzie first reported, Schultz has officially de-registered from the University of Wisconsin.
It is confirmed Justin Schultz de-registered from Wisconsin earlier this week, starting a process that could make blue-chip ANA prospect UFA
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 25, 2012
Under current league rules, the Ducks still own his rights for a period of 30 days (starting May 22) in which they can exclusively negotiate a contract. Should the two sides fail to reach an agreement, Schultz would be free to negotiate a contract with any team in the league — without the team signing him having to trade any assets back to Anaheim — though he would not be able to sign a contract until July 1st.
Ducks have 30-day exclusive window to sign him but writing is on wall: Schultz going to UFA. 30-day window expires just prior to NHL draft.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 25, 2012
Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports that the Ducks will meet with Schultz’s representatives “shortly” in an attempt to sign him.
However, according to McKenzie, the Ducks will try to trade Schultz’s rights during those 30 days if they feel a deal can’t be reached as the club would not receive any compensation if he goes elsewhere (as per section 8.3(b) of the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement). Of course, that would only work if Schultz is willing to talk contract with that team.
Obvious strategy now for ANA is to trade Schultz’s rights to club Schultz will sign with but Ducks would need Schultz’s cooperation on that.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 25, 2012
Potential Suitors
As McKenzie points out, since Schultz has decided to trigger this process of becoming a UFA, it’s highly unlikely that he wants to sign with the Ducks. So the question becomes, where will he end up?
Adam Gretz of CBSSports suggests that a lot of teams will have interest in acquiring the highly skilled defenseman. TSN’s Darren Dreger goes a step further and says that “every team in the NHL will express interest and the vast majority will make a pitch to sign him.’
Sean Gentille of the Sporting News suggests that the Vancouver Canucks are one of the teams expected to make a run at the British Columbia native. The Edmonton Oilers, who are in dire need of help on the blueline, are also viewed as a team with great interest.
TSN hockey analyst Aaron Ward believes that the Detroit Red Wings will make a play for Schultz due to Nicklas Lidstrom’s potential retirement and Brad Stuart’s likely departure. Additionally, one of Schultz’s former teammates at Wisconsin, Brendan Smith, may try to convince him to sign in Motown.
Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune suggests that the Minnesota Wild would also be interested in Schultz.
However, regardless of the interest in him, Russo is confident that Schultz has already made up his mind where he’ll sign. And that may not sit all too well with the Ducks.
During a guest spot on the KFAN radio station, Russo said that the Ducks have been building a case for tampering for two months — and will file charges once Schultz signs a contract — against the mystery team (listen from 25:30 to 26:21 in the video below) because they feel inappropriate communications with their player may have taken place.
So who is this mystery team? The Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Russo.
@russostrib What chance do the Wild have at Justin Schultz and how hated will he be in ANA?
— Kara Burgoyne (@Kmae5475) May 26, 2012
@scottstenze1 he’s picked his team. My guess is Toronto
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) May 26, 2012
Aside from the fact that current Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke drafted Schultz, Burke has already tried to acquire Schultz as the GM of the Maple Leafs. As Damien Cox of the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons point out, when Burke traded defenseman Francois Beauchemin to the Ducks, his main target was in fact Schultz — but ended up with Jake Gardiner instead when the Ducks made it clear Schultz wasn’t going anywhere.
Speaking of Gardiner, he and Schultz became good friends while patrolling the blueline together for the Wisconsin Badgers. Gardiner told the Orange County Register that he and Schultz often talked about playing together in the NHL some day.
We’d always talked about playing together someday in the NHL.
Maybe they will finally get that opportunity.
Who is Justin Schultz?
Schultz was drafted 43rd overall from the British Columbia Junior Hockey League by the Ducks in the 2008 NHL Draft. He played another year in the BCJHL after he was drafted before joining Wisconsin Badgers where he’s been a finalist for the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award each of the last two seasons, as the league’s top-scoring blueliner.
Here is a rundown of his career stats thus far:
Many believe that Schultz is an NHL-ready defenseman who can slot in on a team’s top-four and has the potential to be a top pair defenseman.
Next to Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, Schultz may be most sought after UFA this summer. Blue chip, Top 4 offensive defenceman prospect.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 25, 2012
@tsnbobmckenzie. To add a little On Justin Schultz. NHL ready & a player I feel could be like Drew Doughty. Dynamic & controls game.
— Craig Button (@CraigJButton) May 25, 2012
