The courtship of soon-to-be professional hockey player Justin Schultz took a turn toward a resolution Thursday when Schultz, reportedly, narrowed his list down to just five teams.
According to multiple sources, the final five suitors are the New York Rangers, the Ottawa Senators, the Vancouver Canucks, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Toronto Maple Leaves.
The Badgers defenseman has formally met with Toronto and Edmonton. Meetings with the remaining three teams are expected to take place in the coming days.
Schultz is free to sign a deal anywhere he pleases when NHL free agency begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 1.
It is important to note that, essentially, all five teams must offer Schultz the same, entry level contract. Make no mistake, the absence of the immediate potential for a lucrative contract does not mean that there is not a bidding war unfolding. The fact is, instead of using money; teams will be “bidding” for the young defenseman with the product that they are able to put on the ice and the situation they can place him in.
It has been widely speculated that Schultz, a native of British Columbia, would prefer to play for a Canadian franchise. Of the four teams north of the border who made the cut, Vancouver and Edmonton appear to hold the early advantage.
It has a point that has been made many times, but the Canucks and the Oilers are a pair of organizations that are in different places in the journey for the Stanley Cup. Where Schultz could potentially fit in that plan varies as well.
Schultz we likely be able to factor into the equation immediately regardless of his final destination. However, his exact role will vary.
Vancouver is a team coming off a disappointing postseason, after earning the top seed in the Western Conference, the Canucks failed to make it out of the first round, losing to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions the Los Angeles Kings.
In terms of personnel, there are few things keeping the Canucks from making a run at the Cup in the very near future. Schultz would probably be able to earn playing time, but he wouldn’t need to shoulder the load for Vancouver to achieve success. As promising as the future appears to be for Schultz, that may not necessarily be a bad thing.
Edmonton, on the other hand is a team on the surge. Schultz would have a chance to make an immediate impact and potentially become a star sooner, rather than later.
While those two situations appear to be the best options for Schultz at the moment, don’t be surprised if one of the other three teams makes a move toward the top of the list by sweetening the pot if and when they meet with him in person.
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