Ryan Wilson: Time to pay Justin Schultz Time to pay Justin Schultz

Same contract as Kris Russell should do it...
Chiarelli

Would love to see the Pens bring in Niemi on a low dollar contract. Would be a good backup for Murray.

Would love to see the Pens bring in Niemi on a low dollar contract. Would be a good backup for Murray.
- cap1681

$4 million is way too cheap on schultz and embarrassing. Its going to be a really strong free agent class. I think going to 5 per year is an easy decision.

At 4.5 if I were schultz I would take a 1 year deal and be the top UFA defenseman next year.

FWIW I think Schultz contributes more to a team than Oshie and he's younger.

$4 million is way too cheap on schultz and embarrassing. Its going to be a really strong free agent class. I think going to 5 per year is an easy decision.

At 4.5 if I were schultz I would take a 1 year deal and be the top UFA defenseman next year.

FWIW I think Schultz contributes more to a team than Oshie and he's younger.
- sditulli

He was probably going to accept less but I'm sure he'll see this and hold out for more. Way to go

In case anyone missed it from the last blog or hasn't seen it yet:

https://www.theplayerstri...ury-thank-you-pittsburgh/

Love Fleury.

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=190324

brady ferguson gonna attend development camp. he had 58 points in 38 games in the NCAA. that is really good. zach aston had 63 points in 38 games.

Not RW's best blog. Talks about Schultz and how he compares to some other defenders but doesn't reference comparable players for his overall game, comparable players in terms of contracts, or justify really what Schultz isn't worth $5.5MM or whatever he might get. After the season he just had and with him turning 27, I would be fine with a contract in the 4-5 year range hopefully keeping the cap hit closer to $5MM than 6. What's the worst case scenario? Is he arbitration eligible (not discussed in the blog)? What if they award him $6.5MM and we do it for one year. Is he going to want to take $5.25 AAV for 4 years after that? I wouldn't think so.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=190324

brady ferguson gonna attend development camp. he had 58 points in 38 games in the NCAA. that is really good. zach aston had 63 points in 38 games.
- martox

A good ol' Texas boy.

If Maataa got 6 years at $4.08 at age 22, why would Schultz take anything less than 4 years at $5M at age 27?

Not RW's best blog. Talks about Schultz and how he compares to some other defenders but doesn't reference comparable players for his overall game, comparable players in terms of contracts, or justify really what Schultz isn't worth $5.5MM or whatever he might get. After the season he just had and with him turning 27, I would be fine with a contract in the 4-5 year range hopefully keeping the cap hit closer to $5MM than 6. What's the worst case scenario? Is he arbitration eligible (not discussed in the blog)? What if they award him $6.5MM and we do it for one year. Is he going to want to take $5.25 AAV for 4 years after that? I wouldn't think so.
- WSCTeton17

I just liked the part where he partially attributed his Edmonton struggles to QoC and then praised how well he played against raised QoC.

Would love to see the Pens bring in Niemi on a low dollar contract. Would be a good backup for Murray.
- cap1681

Gross. No thanks.

I just liked the part where he partially attributed his Edmonton struggles to QoC and then praised how well he played against raised QoC.
- jmatchett383

Oh? You mean where he mentioned quality of teammates as well?

Today I want to focus on a specific Penguins RFA and that player will be Justin Schultz. Since coming over from Edmonton he has done a great job at resurrecting his perception as a defenseman with a positive impact. People who were/are unable to take into consideration things like quality of teammate and quality of competition labeled Schultz as one of the worst players in the league. That assessment was proven to be patently false when Schultz finally escaped Edmonton's dysfunction.

^^that paragraph?

Would love to see the Pens bring in Niemi on a low dollar contract. Would be a good backup for Murray.
- cap1681

Niemi has been trending in the wrong direction. I don't know how much of that is due to the defense in front of him in Dallas or the style they play, but at his age, it is a troubling sign. Backups are a dime-a-dozen and when you have a stud like Murray appears to be, the backup becomes less important. Of course, we all saw how important Fleury was when Murray was injured and Murray does seem to get injured here and there, but I think there are better options out there. I think Nilsson might be a good option. Spending around $1 mil on a backup goalie is ideal, but definitely less than $2-$2.5.

Schultz has earned a good contract. I'd actually feel pretty good about offering him term after the past year and a half, if that is what he is after.

Initially I was thinking 4x4.5 was fair but hell, Id take him on a 7-8 year deal if it keeps his cap hit in the $4-4.5M range. On the open market he honestly might get $5.5-6M. He is a pretty rare offensive talent on the point, if he can get a little slicker in his own zone he is a legit top pairing D man.

I don't think he will ever hit the level of Letang, Karlsson or Doughty but if he comes back with the Pens he is going to work his way into the conversation with Subban, Josi, Keith, Weber, OEL, Pietrangelo etc. as just under elite. I'd take him over Shattenkirk & Ellis right now. He could end up being one of the all time trade steals if he keeps up his current level of play.

Niemi has been trending in the wrong direction. I don't know how much of that is due to the defense in front of him in Dallas or the style they play, but at his age, it is a troubling sign. Backups are a dime-a-dozen and when you have a stud like Murray appears to be, the backup becomes less important. Of course, we all saw how important Fleury was when Murray was injured and Murray does seem to get injured here and there, but I think there are better options out there. I think Nilsson might be a good option. Spending around $1 mil on a backup goalie is ideal, but definitely less than $2-$2.5.
- T-Train

You only take Niemi off Dallas hands if they eat half of the cap hit and give you a solid prospect. I'd eat his full salary if Johns or Niskushkin were coming back in return. I sure as hell agree that they shouldn't pursue him as a backup.

You only take Niemi off Dallas hands if they eat half of the cap hit and give you a solid prospect. I'd eat his full salary if Johns or Niskushkin were coming back in return. I sure as hell agree that they shouldn't pursue him as a backup.
- MacPatty

They are buying him out, but I still don't want him.

You only take Niemi off Dallas hands if they eat half of the cap hit and give you a solid prospect. I'd eat his full salary if Johns or Niskushkin were coming back in return. I sure as hell agree that they shouldn't pursue him as a backup.
- MacPatty

Pick him up on waivers... he's about to hit it.

Would love to see the Pens bring in Niemi on a low dollar contract. Would be a good backup for Murray.
- cap1681

No! If we add a back up then go after Condon. He played really well in a full time back up roll last year.

Oh? You mean where he mentioned quality of teammates as well?

Today I want to focus on a specific Penguins RFA and that player will be Justin Schultz. Since coming over from Edmonton he has done a great job at resurrecting his perception as a defenseman with a positive impact. People who were/are unable to take into consideration things like quality of teammate and quality of competition labeled Schultz as one of the worst players in the league. That assessment was proven to be patently false when Schultz finally escaped Edmonton's dysfunction.

^^that paragraph?
- j.boyd919

Yes, where he partially blamed in on QoC.

God I wish RW wasn't so high and mighty to interact with his readers. Love him or hate him, at least Tanner backs up his points in his comments section.

Also, as much as I don't agree with a lot of what RW says, you need to get off his junk dude.

Yes, where he partially blamed in on QoC.

God I wish RW wasn't so high and mighty to interact with his readers. Love him or hate him, at least Tanner backs up his points in his comments section.

Also, as much as I don't agree with a lot of what RW says, you need to get off his junk dude.
- jmatchett383

Nah. I actually don't have to do anything.

You don't believe that playing against a higher QoC with a higher QoT would reflect in better play? If you're playing with a lower QoT, but playing higher QoC, I think you're gonna have a bad time.

In case anyone missed it from the last blog or hasn't seen it yet:

https://www.theplayerstri...ury-thank-you-pittsburgh/

Love Fleury.
- T-Train

Yup. That's some great stuff. He's a good guy and we were lucky to have him. Maybe if all works out, he'll retire a Penguin and play his last season with them. Seems like a player the Pens would like to bring back for that and even somehow bring him into the organization after he calls it a career. I'm sure the family wouldn't mind moving back.

Nah. I actually don't have to do anything.

You don't believe that playing against a higher QoC with a higher QoT would reflect in better play? If you're playing with a lower QoT, but playing higher QoC, I think you're gonna have a bad time.
- j.boyd919

I agree. But I'd argue that he was stranded on an island this past year's playoffs, against higher night-in/night-out competition, that was just as bad (if not worse) than he was in Edmonton. Obviously the forwards were better, but the defense was just as bad.

But I know you like to defend poor RW to the death any time that I have any minor criticism of him.

I agree. But I'd argue that he was stranded on an island this past year's playoffs, against higher night-in/night-out competition, that was just as bad (if not worse) than he was in Edmonton. Obviously the forwards were better, but the defense was just as bad.

But I know you like to defend poor RW to the death any time that I have any minor criticism of him.
- jmatchett383

I'm not even the biggest fan of Ian Cole, but I think that playing paired with Ian Cole while moving the puck to the likes of Malkin, Sid, Kessel, etc. is a much more advantageous position than playing with Andrew Ference/Nick Schultz/Oscar Klefbom as a rookie and moving the puck to Eberle/Nuge/Hall. That's a pretty big difference in quality of team mates. I don't see why it's hard to believe that higher QoT+Similar QoC = better play.

Also, the coaches and system probably had a lot to do with it as well.