I don't think he counts yet, contract starts next season I believe.
- BarDownBobo

Yup, you're right. I don't think it officially goes through until after this season.

I mostly agree, but any time you can get a free prospect you take it. But if they are offering top 4 minutes to reel him in, no thank you. Agreed on the need for leadership, this team needs a legit top pair Dman to play with Schultz and a solid top 6 forward to create space for the kids. Campbells contract is pretty large, but he is the type of player needed on the backend, someone who is calm with the puck, can skate it out or make a great breakout pass.
- abware

That's exactly what I'm talking about. A solid, playoff experienced forward, and a puck moving veteran defenseman. Like what Pittsburgh had with Gonchar and Bill Guerin. It was the years with them that Pittsburgh's young talent matured into the force they are today.

I don't think he counts yet, contract starts next season I believe.
- BarDownBobo

Pretty sure contracts signed right now wont or cant even start next year.

He does count as a contract though. No matter where he is. There is a signed contract. My understanding of it atleast.
- poisondhearts37

Incorrect

whether this is true or not, congrats to EDM for overcoming their... ummm... geographical disability, and being in the conversation for young free agents.. I'll admit I was shocked when schultz went there, so the front office is doing something right
- ChrisMS

It's simple really. The Oilers are may be the only team that can guarantee a kid like that top 4 playing time. Anyone who think Schultz chose the Oilers because he saw them as a winner, or because Gretzky talked to him are crazy. He chose Edmonton because he was guaranteed a roster spot.

It's simple really. The Oilers are may be the only team that can guarantee a kid like that top 4 playing time. Anyone who think Schultz chose the Oilers because he saw them as a winner, or because Gretzky talked to him are crazy. He chose Edmonton because he was guaranteed a roster spot.
- Jeffmt

im sure he knew he was gonna get a real shot at making the squad. but he wasnt guaranteed a top 4 spot.
its a convienent argument for the oiler diss, but its not the truth.

and u have zero evidence of it either. the only thing we do know (whether its true or not) is what tambs said...and it wasnt this

same goes for dekeyser, neither is he guaranteed NOR would he be good enough to play in our top 4 immediately

Incorrect
- Reveen

Elaborate b!tch

Pretty sure contracts signed right now wont or cant even start next year.
- poisondhearts37

So the team signs a contact that will last < 20 games? Yet he is still playing in the playoffs in Jr.? No. Think of it this way. If a team sign s a contract extension the extension starts the next year. Same idea. They signed him now, but the contract does not start until next season.

Can lightning strike twice for us oilers? I hope so. Just one thing though. IF the oilers sign him don't they have to make a move first? They just signed ewank this week. Doesn't he not count for our 50th contract?
Come on dekeyser we need you.

whether this is true or not, congrats to EDM for overcoming their... ummm... geographical disability, and being in the conversation for young free agents.. I'll admit I was shocked when schultz went there, so the front office is doing something right
- ChrisMS

I don't think it's as big a deal as you think. Though i'll admit that having snow in march isn't the best thing edmonton has it's not that bad of a city. It's growing all the time and it's going to get a new rink soon. Players are starting to look at the players on the team not the weather. But i think the bigger problem with getting players to sign here was due more to poor managment and a history of poor managment and polatices getting in the way. That doesn't seem to be the case right now and players are more willing to sign here because of it. In my opinion the Wayne gretzky trade hurt the oilers for more then just a couple of years. Players will think well if they can trade the greatest player in hockey and treat him like that then they most certainly will treat me like that. It's been a huge rut the oilers have had to get out of and i think managment is finally getting out of that rut.

It's simple really. The Oilers are may be the only team that can guarantee a kid like that top 4 playing time. Anyone who think Schultz chose the Oilers because he saw them as a winner, or because Gretzky talked to him are crazy. He chose Edmonton because he was guaranteed a roster spot.
- Jeffmt

Sounds a little butt hurt.
Last year there were 11 teams with worse a shots against average, and 6 teams with a worse goals against average (Toronto is below in both categories) Even though Edmontons D was terrible, there were still a few teams that needed to improve defensively.

It's simple really. The Oilers are may be the only team that can guarantee a kid like that top 4 playing time. Anyone who think Schultz chose the Oilers because he saw them as a winner, or because Gretzky talked to him are crazy. He chose Edmonton because he was guaranteed a roster spot.
- Jeffmt

no. he chose Edmonton because, along with the reason you cite, they already had 3 first overall picks and Eberle. And, because Edmonton is only a 10 hour drive from his parents house in Kelowna.