Justin Schultz has re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year contract worth $3.675 million, the team announced Friday.
The 24-year-old defenseman has played two NHL seasons, both with Edmonton, and tallied 60 points in 122 games. From an offensive standpoint, he has been impressive, but the former University of Wisconsin star still has major strides to make defensively. In fact, Schultz has developed at a rate slower than expected following his controversial departure from the Anaheim Ducks.
This is a good deal for the Oilers, who have many talented blue line prospects — most notably 2013 first-round pick Darnell Nurse — ready to make an impact this season or in 2015-16. Schultz now has one year to prove he can be a reliable two-way defenseman at the NHL level, one also capable of playing 20-plus minutes per game against quality competition.
“I think we are both pretty happy in getting it done,” Schultz told the Oilers’ website. “I’m happy with the contract. I obviously have to prove myself more to get a longer term. Hopefully I have a good year this year, the team does better and we’ll get it done.”
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