Ducks hope to hear decision from Schultz
Who would have ever thought that college star Justin Schultz might be one of the prizes when NHL free agency opens on July 1?
It is what happens when there’s the converging of a bonafide top-four defenseman who’s coming up on four years without signing with the club that drafted him, has the potential option of making a deal with any other team and a free agent crop that’s pretty thin after Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.
We know the story by now with Schultz and the Ducks, the team that took him in the second round of the 2008 draft. The Ducks wanted to put the Wisconsin standout on their blue line the day after his junior season ended with the Badgers. Schultz wanted to hold off on his decision to turn pro, choosing to finish out the school year — and perhaps look at other teams.
The club hopes that the question to lead this post is never moves beyond the hypothetical even though there are many who believe it will become real. Given that Schultz is still in college, Ducks GM Bob Murray isn’t saying too much about the situation.
But Murray has been in contact with Schultz’s advisor, Wade Arnott, and hopes to get some kind of answer from Schultz soon. Spring semester finals at Wisconsin are this week.
http://ducks.ocregister.com/2012/05/13/ducks-hope-to-hear-decision-from-schultz/110759/