News:Justin Schultz finished the season on a high note Saturday, collecting a goal and three assists as Edmonton scored six third-period goals in a 7-2 win over Vancouver.
Analysis: Given the strength of the Oilers' youth corps, Edmonton is going to be very good very soon. Justin Schultz will want to improve on his team-worst minus-17 rating, but he's a solid prospect for upcoming campaigns.
News:Justin Schultz scored the game-winning goal Friday and added an assist in the win over Colorado, his first goal in seven games.
Analysis:Justin Schultz is getting back on the scoresheet after disappearing for most of March. He remains a rising talent in the NHL and his 23 points in 43 games are solid. Just don't overpay for him next season. He was named the best defenseman in the AHL recently for his exploits during the NHL lockout, but he found producing regularly at the NHL level a bit more difficult.
News:Justin Schultz scored a goal and collected a power-play assist in Thursday's win over the Stars, giving him points in four of the last five games.
Analysis: Though he hasn't scored at anything resembling the rate he managed in the AHL (48 points in 34 games) during the lockout, he's been an impressive contributor from the blue line -- especially on the power play, where he's tallied 10 of his 12 points on the year. Once Justin Schultz starts scoring more consistently at even strength -- which he did Thursday -- he'll evolve into one of the top defensemen in the league.
News:Justin Schultz (back) will play in Saturday's game against the Avalanche.
Analysis:Justin Schultz was expected to suit up all along, which is great news for fantasy owners who have been riding his hot start. He has seven points (four goals) through the first 13 games of his rookie season.
News:Justin Schultz (back) is expected to play Saturday against the Avalanche, Dan Tencer of the Oilers' Radio Network reports.
Analysis: For precautionary reasons, the Oilers removed Justin Schultz from Thursday's game after his back tightened up. He then sat out Friday's practice, but apparently that was also a precaution because, as of now, he is expected to be in action against Colorado.
News:Justin Schultz (back) was not present for the Oilers' practice Friday, according to the team's official Twitter page.
Analysis:Justin Schultz was expected to be ready to practice Friday, so it seems the team is resting him one more day. The Oilers play the Avalanche on Saturday, so check in before game-time to make sure Schultz is good to go.
News:Justin Schultz left practice early Thursday as a precautionary measure due to back tightness, Dan Tencer of 630 CHED reports.
Analysis: Oilers coach Ralph Krueger expects Justin Schultz to return Friday. Schultz has scored seven points in 13 games, averaging 23:12 minutes of ice time per game.
News:Justin Schultz tallied a power-play goal, his forth marker of the season, in Saturday's loss to Detroit.
Analysis: The lethal wrist shot that enabled Justin Schultz to dominate in the AHL during the lockout was on full display when he found the back of the net for the Oilers' only goal Saturday. With seven points through 11 games -- including four power-play goals -- Schultz is delivering elite blue-line production right out of the gates in his first NHL campaign.
News:Justin Schultz picked up his third goal of the season in Wednesday's overtime loss to Dallas.
Analysis: The marker was the game-tying goal in the third period for Edmonton, and actually came with the man advantage as well. Justin Schultz now has six points (3 G, 3 A) through his first 10 NHL games, a pace that would put him on track for 48 points over a full 82-game slate.
News:Justin Schultz scored and added two assists in Edmonton's 4-3 loss at Calgary on Saturday. The three points enabled him to seize the team scoring lead with six points in four games.
Analysis: That splashing sound you hear is fantasy owners diving head-first into free-agent pools to claim him. While it's exceedingly rare for rookie blueliners to head up a team's scoring attack, there's some kindling under this fire, as the Oilers field an impressive array of young skaters.
News: The Oilers expect Justin Schultz to succeed immediately in the NHL, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Justin Schultz averaged 30 minutes of ice time and a point per game while playing in the AHL during the lockout. He won't approach those numbers in the NHL but should still make his mark in his rookie campaign. The Oilers are a young up and coming team that should be watched. They can score goals and Schultz could be a force on the power play sooner rather than later.
