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Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun - Canuck general manager Mike Gillis and assistant Laurence Gilman are in Toronto and it's not to chat with Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke about a Roberto Luongo trade.While I follow and write about UND hockey, Justin Schultz is one of my favorite opposition players. In my opinion, Schultz is "one" of the best players that I have ever watched play the college game at the defense position.
Gillis and Gilman instead headed east in the hope of meeting with hockey's hottest free agent not named Zach Parise or Ryan Suter.
The Canucks are one of a reported 26 NHL teams said to be pursuing collegiate defenceman Justin Schultz, who just completed his junior year at the University of Wisconsin.
This is one free-agent negotiation that won't be all about the money. Everyone is prepared to offer Schultz, a soon to be 22-year-old Kelowna native, the maximum $925,000 a year, two-year entry level contract (plus bonuses) to which he is entitled under the current collective bargaining agreement.
What Schultz is said to want is ice time and there have been suggestions that he also has a preference to play in Canada.
Let me preface this by saying, this is not a slam against other WCHA players and or former Fighting Sioux hockey players, because I have watched some great players over the years.
The reason I think that Schultz is that good and close to NHL ready – he the ability to dazzle you with his offensive talents and he brings the fans out of their seats –he is also like having a fourth forward on the ice. That being said, I hope Schultz signs with anyone other than the diving, whining Canucks hockey team.
