Player A: 0.80 P/60 at 5 on 5 this season, 0.70 P/60 and 166 games played over the last three seasons
Player B: 0.55 P/60 at 5 on 5 this season, 0.74 P/60 and 138 games played over the last three seasons
Guess which one's Tanev and which one's Schultz. I could see the argument for Schultz over Tanev based on the stylistic fit if Schultz was actually still a PMD, but right now he's just... nothing. The only thing he does that Tanev doesn't is QB a power play, and that's not exactly a major need for the Caps.
Schultz is still a better puck mover with superior offensive instincts and probably a better shot creator for himself. It just makes more sense than signing a Dillon clone, and if Orlov-Carlson sticks you're a lot better off watching Dillon-Schultz than Dillon-Tanev in my opinion.
Schultz's physical body may or may not rebound but I really do have some faith that his confidence in himself (and his partner) is only going to improve. If Orlov pizzas are the biggest being served that's
still such an upgrade over playing with Jack Johnson that once he shakes that off and gets comfortable, I think you'll see a pretty serviceable version.
I'm still not happy with having to think about this overall, I love a good slam dunk, but I do think they put
some time into researching guys like Lundqvist and Schultz and deciding whether their teams put them in positions to succeed. Like, if the Capitals signed Justin Schultz to
be the Jack Johnson instead of
covering for Jack Johnson, and instead they want Dillon to cover for Schultz, that's a huge difference for the player.
Asking Schultz to develop into a stud who could carry a pairing was a big ask, but this is a fresh start with the potential for a more focused and direct role, new team, new coach, new system for everybody. I don't like it but I see why they feel the way they do.
