It seemed like he was fairly genuine, but I am not sold he can make significant improvements over this offseason.
That's too bad. Oiler management trying to deflect attention from their "no more than three NHLers at any one time" blueline policy by making the players feel embarrassed that they played poorly.I watched his presser and he did seem genuine and almost embarrassed by his play.
I liked how honest he was with his presser, saying he wasn't happy with his season and that he has to get stronger physically.
He seemed earnest in that regard. I'd give him at least another year unless there is some package coming back that is a no brainer upgrade.
I mentioned it before but at 6'2 ... 188 or whatever is a bit too frail. It's not freakishly skinny or anything but it's on the light side, he should aim to bump up to 195 at least and the strength gains he can make from a summer in the weight room with also help a lot.
I'd wait until July ... if it turns out he has been hitting the gym and is getting bigger ... I'd sign him to a 2-year deal at 4 mill per or thereabouts. Even if you decide to cut him loose after a year, it won't be that hard to find a taker for him IMO. If he has a good year after coming to camp stronger, then at least you can squeeze out an extra year from him at a mid-tier salary rate.
I'm not a Schultz fan but I was similarly impressed that of all the players this one had done the most soul searching. He seemed legitimately disturbed at his play in the exit interview and touched on the things he needed to improve on.
He also touched on whats an important consideration for me is that you can "get away with not playing physical" in NCAA. Its this kind of thing that often makes me question direct applicability to NHL and especially for D.
btw what does it say about Ference, a full grown mature adult, with playing weight of a scrawny 185lbs, when even a young kid KNOWS he needs to be bigger. Good for Justin to accept this when he has a captain that is ill prepared to play in the WC and models an inappropriate offseason regimen.
should we re-sign him? Is there hope for him?
It depends on his ask for me… I still think he brings a element our blue line is lacking… But if he wants any kind of raise though or even the same contract, I ship him out or let him walk.
Kind of hope he gets dealt to be honest, he is one of my least favorite Oilers in the last 10 years… and would give us all something else to B!!!!! about.
If we were going to sign him, I'd hope it would be for two years. I really hate the contract we signed Petry to that pretty forced us to trade him.
A two year contract gives us the flexibility to watch for improvement and then trade him if he doesn't improve.
I like how genuinely upset he was with his season, but I was concerned when he said he had to get alot stronger. Does that mean he's been slacking all these years? He's 24 and if you look at many other 24 year old defensemen, they push him around like a rag doll. Hell, I bet even Ekblad is stronger than him. lol. Makes me think he came into EDM and got too comfortable because he knew no matter what, he wasn't going anywhere. Maybe now he'll put in some serious work this offseason and start taking this more seriously.
You can bet though with all the new management that Chiarelli and McLellan aren't going to give him a pass. So it's basically now or never for him. If he doesn't come into camp in the best shape of his life then say hello to the door when his contract is up.
Need to see him under this coaching group. There's going to be a pretty steady improvement, and I have no doubt about it.
He's a player that gotten by with a good amount of skill and smooth skating ability.
But it looks like he's never spent much time in the gym at all.
188 6'2 like I said isn't freakishly skinny or anything, but it is definitely on the weaker side.
If he's willing to hit the gym this summer, I'd keep him.
I'm not a Schultz fan but I was similarly impressed that of all the players this one had done the most soul searching. He seemed legitimately disturbed at his play in the exit interview and touched on the things he needed to improve on.
He also touched on whats an important consideration for me is that you can "get away with not playing physical" in NCAA. Its this kind of thing that often makes me question direct applicability to NHL and especially for D.
btw what does it say about Ference, a full grown mature adult, with playing weight of a scrawny 185lbs, when even a young kid KNOWS he needs to be bigger. Good for Justin to accept this when he has a captain that is ill prepared to play in the WC and models an inappropriate offseason regimen.