Former Oilers Defenceman Linked to Re-Joining Edmonton Leaves to Play Overseas
According to new reports from Chris Johnston today, former Oilers defenceman Justin Schultz has officially signed a contract to continue his career overseas.
The 34 year old Schultz has signed a one year contract with HC Lugano in Switzerland.
The Edmonton Oilers have been linked to signing a veteran defenceman amid their early season struggles on the back end, and Justin Schultz was one of the potential candidates.
Schultz began his NHL career with the Oilers in the 2012-13 season, and played 4 years on some terrible teams, but still had some decent offensive success. The Oilers traded Schultz to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he went on to win two Stanley Cups. Since then he's moved on to the Washington Capitals and most recently the Seattle Kraken, playing an impressive total of 745 career games. Last season his defensive abilities came into serious question after he posted a -23 rating, and at his age, may dispel another team from signing him.
With that being said, it's still very possible that the Oilers sign an even older free agent defenceman. Now that Schultz is off the board, if Edmonton is still considering another signing, their primarily options will be Kevin Shattenkirk and Mark Giordano. The season is now a few weeks in, and signing one of these veteran defenceman now may come with a serious risk that they may not get up to speed.
This is likely it for Schultz's NHL career barring a miracle comeback next season, and he absolutely deserves some recognition for a successful career. Oilers fans will be wishing him the best in Switzerland this season, and in whatever comes next.
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