NHL Defenseman Justin Schultz is currently a free agent. He is 34 years old and looking to find a different team for the 2024-2025 season and beyond. Schultz played for the Seattle Kraken last season. In 70 games played, he scored seven goals and recorded 19 assists, but had a plus/minus rating of -23. Seattle missed the playoffs last season after making it the previous season. He played with the Kraken for two NHL seasons. Justin Schultz has also previously played with the Edmonton Oilers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Washington Capitals.
There is no doubt that a Stanley Cup-contending team could use Justin Schultz on their roster. Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report thinks that Schultz is still one of the top free agents on the market. He helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. Justin Schultz became the top defenseman on the Penguins roster after Kris Letang suffered a season-ending injury during the second cup run. Yerdon of Bleacher Report said about Schultz:
“When he was Buffalo Sabres general manager, current Seattle Kraken assistant GM Jason Botterill said you can never have too many defensemen. It’s a sentiment echoed by a lot of other team executives since any rash of injuries on the blue line can be crushing. That’s what makes a puck-moving, Stanley Cup-winning defender like Justin Schultz valuable.”
Having depth in the defenseman position is important in the NHL. There are times when teams will want to go with seven defensemen and only 11 forwards in games, especially in the postseason for certain matchups. Some NHL teams are struggling for blue-line help right now. Which NHL teams could still use the services of Justin Schultz moving forward?
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers have had a very shaky defensive core. Jacob Trouba is the captain of this team, but he is known for his head-hunting rather than his defensive play. Justin Schultz would be an excellent signing for the Rangers. New York in the last two of three seasons made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but they have not been to the Stanley Cup Finals since 2014. The Rangers have not won the Stanley Cup since the 1994 season against the Vancouver Canucks. Having an excellent blue line to support goalie Igor Shesterkin would go a long way for this hockey team.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs always have a shaky defensive core year in and year out. Morgan Reilly has been by far their best defenseman, but they have not received much play after that. Toronto has been consistently making the playoffs over the years and lost in seven games last season to the Boston Bruins. Toronto changed coaches this offseason from Sheldon Keefe to Craig Berube. Berube will bring more of a defensive structure to this hockey team. Justin Schultz would help this hockey team, which is led by John Tavares. Auston Matthews is also one of the elite goal-scorers in this league.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks would also be a very good fit for Justin Schultz. Despite having Quinn Hughes on the blue line, Schultz would add an extra offensive jolt on the backend. Justin Schultz has a connection with former Pittsburgh Penguins members Rick Tocchet and Jim Rutherford. Tocchet is the head coach for the Canucks and Rutherford is in the front office for Vancouver. This would help them try to win a Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
For More Great Content
Total Apex is an all-encompassing content producer. We provide heavily detailed articles every day on entertainment, gaming, sports, and so much more! Check out all our great sports content at Total Apex Sports. Check us out on our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
