Ryan Wilson: The Justin Schultz conundrum The Justin Schultz conundrum

how is RW using these SKATR charts? When I go to that site it says its been decommissioned....

how is RW using these SKATR charts? When I go to that site it says its been decommissioned....
- YouMeAndDupuis9

https://public.tableau.com/profile/bill.comeau#!/vizhome/SKATRJune2019v2/SKATRSolo

Certainly one of the more tolerable blogs of late, RW. I think anyone who’s reflected on this past season can hopefully be honest and say that JS was not good and that JJ was not 100% to blame for it. Many of his gafs with and without the puck were completely on him. I would assume a bit of a bounce back just because now he’s not coming off injury and should have more confidence, especially in a contract year

Kessel and Schultz for Subban+ was always a great option for us but it didn’t give NSH what they needed - cap space.

I like Tojo’s idea of buying low on Shattenkirk who I don’t believe will be bought out. I think Smith is the one to go and they’ll keep him for another year. It looks like the Rangers might still want to move on from Kreider if they wanted to free up some cap space

At the end of the day JS likely won’t extend until his stock is back up. We’re still a better team today than we were at the start of last season and GMJR has proven that he can improve the roster during the season. Keeping that in mind, I still think we’re the team to beat in the Metro by a slight margin

Schultz has been injury-prone the past two seasons. I don't see the Pens giving him another contract.

Ideally you move Rust or Hornquest out for a Dman and Shultz for cap space or offenseive support. He helped them win and now its time to move on. It would be stupid to pay him $7+ for 6 years which he will demand.

Schultz has been injury-prone the past two seasons. I don't see the Pens giving him another contract.
- acdc1206

But GMJR will just hang on to Johnson's contract like grim death.

Schultz has been injury-prone the past two seasons. I don't see the Pens giving him another contract.
- acdc1206

Malkin has been injury prone for the last 6 seasons.

Shultz’s issue wasn’t mainly about JJ. It could have had to to do with the fact HE BROKE HIS LEG and missed a ton of the season. Catching up with guys that have been in the mix all season is not easy. But it is easier to blame JJ.

I think Cullen deserved his own post. But that is just me.

From last blog

So by that logic of having to do it more for credit of ability... Tanev only having this one average season, last year, definitely means he shouldn't have been signed?
- Guile

Yes, I agree with you there. Tanev last year was a solid 3rd liner, worth about 3.5M. But since he only did it once they shouldn't have given him that contract, not enough history, so there's a risk he could go backwards, and the salary left no room for decline.

And that's not even considering they didn't have a hole for a third line wing that they needed to spend on. I'm not defending the signing, just saying he's not some creation of Lowry, especially in conversation involving Ferlund who has gotten nice stats bump from his linemates.

Malkin has been injury prone for the last 6 seasons.
- sammy87

Unless Gudbranson is moved next season, Schultz won't be retained. Money will have to go to Murray and the slew of RFA's we have at forward. Addison better be ready haha.

Certainly one of the more tolerable blogs of late, RW. I think anyone who’s reflected on this past season can hopefully be honest and say that JS was not good and that JJ was not 100% to blame for it. Many of his gafs with and without the puck were completely on him. I would assume a bit of a bounce back just because now he’s not coming off injury and should have more confidence, especially in a contract year

Kessel and Schultz for Subban+ was always a great option for us but it didn’t give NSH what they needed - cap space.

I like Tojo’s idea of buying low on Shattenkirk who I don’t believe will be bought out. I think Smith is the one to go and they’ll keep him for another year. It looks like the Rangers might still want to move on from Kreider if they wanted to free up some cap space

At the end of the day JS likely won’t extend until his stock is back up. We’re still a better team today than we were at the start of last season and GMJR has proven that he can improve the roster during the season. Keeping that in mind, I still think we’re the team to beat in the Metro by a slight margin
- WSCTeton17

The Rangers are kind of screwed on the buyout for both Shattenkirk and Smith because both buyouts pay almost the full contract the second year. When you add in you're extending the salary into future year, it doesn't make sense to save money this year.

On the flip side, they Have Trouba, Fox, DeAngelo, Shattenkirk, and Smith listed as RD so they need to clear minutes. Trade retaining 50% salary is much better for them.

Good article on Schultz.

He shown he has good puck moving skills, but will get stuck in his end without help. Playing him with JJ and to lesser extent Maatta, and also wings like Kessel or Galchenyuk who are poor defensively is a bad recipe. Balance that out, and hope for some bounce back, can he can help.

Tough call like RW said though in that they can't replace him internally, at least not yet, but his next contract likely won't be a good one.

Good article on Schultz.

He shown he has good puck moving skills, but will get stuck in his end without help. Playing him with JJ and to lesser extent Maatta, and also wings like Kessel or Galchenyuk who are poor defensively is a bad recipe. Balance that out, and hope for some bounce back, can he can help.

Tough call like RW said though in that they can't replace him internally, at least not yet, but his next contract likely won't be a good one.
- Tojo.

Cole was such a perfect partner for him - a shame management didn't recognize this chemistry and note it as imperative for long-term success on our 2nd pair.

Good article on Schultz.

He shown he has good puck moving skills, but will get stuck in his end without help. Playing him with JJ and to lesser extent Maatta, and also wings like Kessel or Galchenyuk who are poor defensively is a bad recipe. Balance that out, and hope for some bounce back, can he can help.

Tough call like RW said though in that they can't replace him internally, at least not yet, but his next contract likely won't be a good one.
- Tojo.

Galchenyuk isn’t good defensively as a center, as a winger he’s way different. You’re not going to see him losing his defender all the time and he takes away time and space much better than someone like Phil. If he plays LW I have no concerns on his ability to defend.

I wouldn’t attribute his ES TOI dropping due to a lack of commitment, moreso to a lack of chemistry. I think he’ll fit in well as a LW in Pitt

Cole was such a perfect partner for him - a shame management didn't recognize this chemistry and note it as imperative for long-term success on our 2nd pair.
- MikeyKay

He could’ve carved out such a solid career next to Schultz in Pitt

Cant quote but Doogs has it right. He broke his damn leg and came back in the heat of the playoff hunt. Last years numbers mean nothing to me.

I don't want to give him a huge contract but if you could get him for the same cap hit for 3-4 years I'd do it.

He might go for it too. Look at Gardiner... everyone thought he was getting a 7x7 deal right out of the gates but 10 days later hes still there.

From last blog


Yes, I agree with you there. Tanev last year was a solid 3rd liner, worth about 3.5M. But since he only did it once they shouldn't have given him that contract, not enough history, so there's a risk he could go backwards, and the salary left no room for decline.

And that's not even considering they didn't have a hole for a third line wing that they needed to spend on. I'm not defending the signing, just saying he's not some creation of Lowry, especially in conversation involving Ferlund who has gotten nice stats bump from his linemates.
- Tojo.

The term on the Tanev deal is stupid but they gave it to him for a reason. I honestly think they signed him to play with Crosby and Jake on the top line.

The term on the Tanev deal is stupid but they gave it to him for a reason. I honestly think they signed him to play with Crosby and Jake on the top line.
- MacPatty

He could’ve carved out such a solid career next to Schultz in Pitt
- WSCTeton17

Not signing Cole to a well-deserved 4m with term is low-key GMJR's 2nd worst move during his tenure here IMO. The structure of our blueline seemed to crumble after that.

Quotes aren’t working for me, but...

According to cap friendly, Shattenkirk has a NMC until July 1st 2021. If he agreed to waive that for the expansion draft, I’d definitely be talking to the rangers about a deal with 40-50% salary retained. Also would only work if JR had a deal to send Johnson and/or Gudbransson far away. I’m assuming the rangers would much rather retain 50% salary rather than 1.4 mil this year and 6 mil next year, plus an additional 1.4 for 2 years after.

Cant quote but Doogs has it right. He broke his damn leg and came back in the heat of the playoff hunt. Last years numbers mean nothing to me.

I don't want to give him a huge contract but if you could get him for the same cap hit for 3-4 years I'd do it.

He might go for it too. Look at Gardiner... everyone thought he was getting a 7x7 deal right out of the gates but 10 days later hes still there.
- MacPatty

The Gardiner concerns are over his back which is ongoing, not one off injuries

The term on the Tanev deal is stupid but they gave it to him for a reason. I honestly think they signed him to play with Crosby and Jake on the top line.
- MacPatty

I hope not

Not signing Cole to a well-deserved 4m with term is low-key GMJR's 2nd worst move during his tenure here IMO. The structure of our blueline seemed to crumble after that.
- MikeyKay

If you think about it we still never replaced what Cole was doing for us on the left side.. Petts has been a great get, but he’s not on Cole’s level especially come playoff time

- Guile

hahaha...its only early yet Gulie, dont hold your breath.