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Could Schultz have Learned Something from O.C. Native Ryan Lasch?

June 15, 2012, 12:22 PM ET [38 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
After it became official that the Anaheim Ducks inked Orange County resident Ryan Lasch to a two-year deal I couldn't help but think back on the Justin Schultz fiasco.

While we still don't know exactly why Schultz snubbed the Ducks for another NHL club, it has been widely speculated that the talented defender wants to play in his native Canada.

Born in Kelowna, B.C. , most assume that the Toronto Maple Leafs would make the most sense and with former defensive partner Jake Gardiner having been traded there by the Ducks already it seems like the best fit.

Even Eklund has a rumor with Edmonton trading their first pick to the Leafs for Gardiner with the intentions of reuniting Gardiner and Schultz in Edmonton.

It would give him a chance to play in Canada and remain together with his old friend.

If that is the case and Schultz really does want to go home again and play with his pal, why didn't he just say so in the first place? Wouldn't that clear the air a bit and polish away a bit of the tarnish that has already stained people's perception of him?

You can't really blame someone for wanting to live out a dream, right?

Let's look at Lasch. The Lake Forest resident becomes the first O.C. native to play for the hometown Ducks. Because of that close to home connection he instantly becomes a feel-good story. When asked about playing in Anaheim he had this to say, "It's pretty awesome," Lasch said. "It still hasn't sunk in yet. To be able to have a chance to play with the Ducks is pretty special to me."

It's obvious that playing closer to home and with a team you grew up cheering for is pretty special. As a kid I always put myself on my favorite team in the NHL video games. It's only natural to feel that way. If Schultz has the same desire, he should have made that clear.

It's hard to fault a young player for feeling that way, even as a professional.

By turning his back on the Ducks without a real explanation, Schultz has forever vilified himself in Anaheim and created a unflattering image of himself around the league and with his peers. Not exactly the perfect start to a promising career.

I reiterate, we still don't know what Schultz is actually thinking or what his true motivations are. But, we do know Schultz will come out on the other end playing for a team he wants to be a part of.

He will go on to have a good, even great career and this situation will become nothing more than a trivia question. It's just too bad the Ducks didn't sign Lasch a few months ago. Maybe Schultz would have handled himself differently.

And maybe, just maybe the Ducks would have been more willing to accommodate Schultz. At the very least they would have know their prized draft pick didn't want to be so far away from home.

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