Steve Palumbo: Former Ducks Prospect Justin Schultz is Tearing Up the AHL

I'm not a Ducks fan but it really bothered me the way he refused to sign with Anaheim - as if he were somehow BETTER than all the other drafted players who sign with the team that drafted them.

I might seem overly bitter, but I'll be rooting against him for his whole career because of his choice not to sign with Anaheim, which is a good team with a bright future that would have offered him every opportunity for personal success than Edmonton could.

I'm not a Ducks fan but it really bothered me the way he refused to sign with Anaheim - as if he were somehow BETTER than all the other drafted players who sign with the team that drafted them.

I might seem overly bitter, but I'll be rooting against him for his whole career because of his choice not to sign with Anaheim, which is a good team with a bright future that would have offered him every opportunity for personal success than Edmonton could.
- Coburns_Nose

I still like to know why he wanted out, something doesn't add up.

I'm not a Ducks fan but it really bothered me the way he refused to sign with Anaheim - as if he were somehow BETTER than all the other drafted players who sign with the team that drafted them.

I might seem overly bitter, but I'll be rooting against him for his whole career because of his choice not to sign with Anaheim, which is a good team with a bright future that would have offered him every opportunity for personal success than Edmonton could.
- Coburns_Nose

I didn't have a problem with it until he signed with the Oilers. Now I am outraged!

I still like to know why he wanted out, something doesn't add up.
- Lahey

Shultz: I deserve a top four role

Murray: Whats the rush?

Shultz: I hate you, I hate this team and city, you are poo poo heads il show you!!!

Murray: wtf???

I'm not a Ducks fan but it really bothered me the way he refused to sign with Anaheim - as if he were somehow BETTER than all the other drafted players who sign with the team that drafted them.

I might seem overly bitter, but I'll be rooting against him for his whole career because of his choice not to sign with Anaheim, which is a good team with a bright future that would have offered him every opportunity for personal success than Edmonton could.
- Coburns_Nose

I don't disagree with anything you are trying to say, except this.

Why do you think that Ana could have offered more opportunities for personal success? While you did not say "more", your statement leaves it written as such.

Steve Palumbo: Former Ducks Prospect Justin Schultz is Tearing Up the AHL
- Steve Palumbo

everyone hating on Shultz for excercisng and knowing his rights...

Shultz: I deserve a top four role

Murray: Whats the rush?

Shultz: I hate you, I hate this team and city, you are poo poo heads il show you!!!

Murray: wtf???
- Whiskey-Tango

Ahhhh...statements based in fact. Love them.

He did actually deny that you know. Also stated that he expected to have to earn all his icetime.

I still like to know why he wanted out, something doesn't add up.
- Lahey

Well think about it. In the ducks organization (especially after they went out and added two defensemen in FA) he probably would have started in the AHL and would have to wait for an injury to get his chance at the NHL. With the oilers he would have started this year as the #1 or #2 guy on the back end. He did what he thought would be best for his career. Why wait for a promotion when you can get it right away?

Edit: I also suspect it has something to do with the fact that Edmonton is more of a hockey city than Anaheim.

everyone hating on Shultz for excercisng and knowing his rights...
- SpoiledByOil

It was still weak. Worked out well for my team, but weak.

Well think about it. In the ducks organization (especially after they went out and added two defensemen in FA) he probably would have started in the AHL and would have to wait for an injury to get his chance at the NHL. With the oilers he would have started this year as the #1 or #2 guy on the back end. He did what he thought would be best for his career. Why wait for a promotion when you can get it right away?

Edit: I also suspect it has something to with the fact that Edmonton is more of a hockey city than Anaheim.
- Sabresfan-365

The Oilers have more defensemen better than Schultz than the Ducks do Who's going to beat Schultz on the Ducks? Lydman, Sbisa, and MAYBE Fowler. How about on the Oilers? Smid, Schultz, Petry, and MAYBE Whitney. Please. Continue.

What you should have pointed out was that the Oilers are in a state of rebuild and thus would be more willing to grant a young player like Schultz an opportunity to win time whereas the Ducks are still trying to be competitive.

Well think about it. In the ducks organization (especially after they went out and added two defensemen in FA) he probably would have started in the AHL and would have to wait for an injury to get his chance at the NHL. With the oilers he would have started this year as the #1 or #2 guy on the back end. He did what he thought would be best for his career. Why wait for a promotion when you can get it right away?

Edit: I also suspect it has something to do with the fact that Edmonton is more of a hockey city than Anaheim.
- Sabresfan-365

I don't know, why would ANA sign two guys but move Lubo? There might not have been a top 4 role out of camp for him, but I'm pretty sure they could've had him battling some vet for a bottom pairing slot.

Well think about it. In the ducks organization (especially after they went out and added two defensemen in FA) he probably would have started in the AHL and would have to wait for an injury to get his chance at the NHL. With the oilers he would have started this year as the #1 or #2 guy on the back end. He did what he thought would be best for his career. Why wait for a promotion when you can get it right away?

Edit: I also suspect it has something to do with the fact that Edmonton is more of a hockey city than Anaheim.
- Sabresfan-365

Remember that the Schultz saga ended before Free Agency fully took hold. The addition of Souray and all came after, and even now I see no reason why he would have been automatically relegated to the A. I am sure he would have been given a chance to have shown his stuff.

Well think about it. In the ducks organization (especially after they went out and added two defensemen in FA) he probably would have started in the AHL and would have to wait for an injury to get his chance at the NHL. With the oilers he would have started this year as the #1 or #2 guy on the back end. He did what he thought would be best for his career. Why wait for a promotion when you can get it right away?

Edit: I also suspect it has something to do with the fact that Edmonton is more of a hockey city than Anaheim.
- Sabresfan-365

??? The Ducks needed SIZE at the blue line, that's why they signed Allen and Souray. Christ, Murray offered him an 8 game season last year which would have burned one year toward RFA status. If he signed with the Ducks he would have been top 6 easily.

Regarding his OK City comments: Wow, he's still a d!ck. Nothing like showing contempt for the fan base of the team you chose to play for. He'll fit right in with the Don Fehr led NHLPA.

Steve Palumbo: Former Ducks Prospect Justin Schultz is Tearing Up the AHL
- Steve Palumbo

He might be turning heads , but not the Barons, either the team is not preforming up to standarts or the AHL Western conference is that hard of a league.

He might be turning heads , but not the Barons, either the team is not preforming up to standarts or the AHL Western conference is that hard of a league.
- Alexzanki

Bit of both, although they did just come off a 5 game winning steak not that long ago. Defense is a weakness IMO.

As an Oilers fan, I'm happy he is here, but not happy with the way he got here.

With that said, most of his points are from him passing the puck to Eberle who scores, or he gets a nice feed from Eberle for an easy goal.

He has had his share of nice goals, but I think without Eberle he'd be at about 0.7 PPG.

Bit of both, although they did just come off a 5 game winning steak not that long ago. Defense is a weakness IMO.
- Lahey

I see , I thought they would of steam rolled the ahl with the likes of RNH,Hall,Eberle,Hartikainen,Shultz and Svensson.

I see , I thought they would of steam rolled the ahl with the likes of RNH,Hall,Eberle,Hartikainen,Shultz and Svensson.
- Alexzanki

Primary scoring has not been the issue, as Lahey said it has been Defense. And secondary scoring. Plus see that Hall had missed the first number of games (8) and as soon as he got back and started to get in form the team went on a tear...that was stopped at teh end of a long road trip, then they had a long layoff.

If you're gonna write a blog trying to give the guy praise, and then take a shot at him at the end, at least make it a good one. Wow lol. He states the obvious saying that OKC isn't a hockey city and that makes him immature??? If that's all the dirt you can find on him, then it just goes to show how mature he is for his age.

I'm actually family friends with him and know him pretty well. Couldn't be a more down to earth guy. I don't know if you've heard the him speak or give an interview, but he's of the quietest people you'll meet. He's not cocky or immature at all. I even asked him why he chose to sign with the Oilers. He gave a simple answer "because I could sign with any team I wanted". Wouldn't you sign at your first choice of team if you could?

The first guy that commented above is clueless saying that he should have signed with the team that drafted him like all other players do. He didn't hold out and refuse to sign or demand a trade or anything. He was special exception to entry level contract rules and did everything within his rights. No different than a UFA signing where they want to.

Ahhhh...statements based in fact. Love them.

He did actually deny that you know. Also stated that he expected to have to earn all his icetime.
- OilHorse

B.S, if that's the case he would have signed in Vancouver.
Gillis made it very clear that he would, as you said, have to work for his ice time.

The next day he signs in Edmonton

I'm not trying to be bitter and jeolous but I think it's pretty clear that ice time and role was a major factor in his decision, as noted by everyone in the mainstream.

Hence the reason for turning down powerhouses like Van and NYR.

All the more reason to be a happy Oil fan bro.

If you're gonna write a blog trying to give the guy praise, and then take a shot at him at the end, at least make it a good one. Wow lol. He states the obvious saying that OKC isn't a hockey city and that makes him immature??? If that's all the dirt you can find on him, then it just goes to show how mature he is for his age.

I'm actually family friends with him and know him pretty well. Couldn't be a more down to earth guy. I don't know if you've heard the him speak or give an interview, but he's of the quietest people you'll meet. He's not cocky or immature at all. I even asked him why he chose to sign with the Oilers. He gave a simple answer "because I could sign with any team I wanted". Wouldn't you sign at your first choice of team if you could?

The first guy that commented above is clueless saying that he should have signed with the team that drafted him like all other players do. He didn't hold out and refuse to sign or demand a trade or anything. He was special exception to entry level contract rules and did everything within his rights. No different than a UFA signing where they want to.
- ty_guy999

I never got to the end to read that...lolol...it is true that OKC does not know much about hockey...I am sure there were more words to the comment...wonder why they weren't used...

I thought it was a fair article Steve...now I think you are just a hack.

B.S, if that's the case he would have signed in Vancouver.
Gillis made it very clear that he would, as you said, have to work for his ice time.

The next day he signs in Edmonton

I'm not trying to be bitter and jeolous but I think it's pretty clear that ice time and role was a major factor in his decision, as noted by everyone in the mainstream.

Hence the reason for turning down powerhouses like Van and NYR.

All the more reason to be a happy Oil fan bro.
- Whiskey-Tango

Still bitter I see. Deny it, but it is clear...were you one of the ones declaring with unwavering confidence that he was a Van fan growing up, so it was a slam dunk that he will sign there.

I have no doubt that his road to gain more minutes was easier in Edm, but he was never guaranteed them, not in public. Publicly he and the team have stated that he will need to earn his icetime. That is all we can go on.

I see , I thought they would of steam rolled the ahl with the likes of RNH,Hall,Eberle,Hartikainen,Shultz and Svensson.
- Alexzanki

I saw two problems going into the year.

1 - The Barons were a hard working, tight checking team that relied on a two-way game last year. Best offensive producer last year was Keller with 49 points.

RNH, Hall, Eberle and Schultz don't play that way, so now it's up to coach Nelson to change his system to work.

2 - How long until RNH, Hall, Eberle and potentially Schultz get bored? I wasn't sure if Schultz would get bored as I didn't know he'd be doing this well offensively.