The NHL free agent market opens for business on Sunday, and while most of the attention is focused on New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise and Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter, the most intriguing player who will be up for grabs on Sunday didn't play in the NHL at all last season.
When unrestricted free agency begins on Sunday, defenseman Justin Schultz from the University of Wisconsin will be up for grabs. Schultz, who had 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 37 games for the Badgers last season, was a second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. However, the 22-year-old defenseman announced his intentions to leave school last month, and because the Ducks were unable to sign him to a contract since then, he'll become an unrestricted free agent, following a path forged by players like Blake Wheeler of the Winnipeg Jets (who signed with the Boston Bruins after being drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes) and Jets prospect Jason Gregoire (who was originally drafted by the New York Islanders).
Schultz, who was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award last season as the top player in NCAA hockey, is widely considered one of the best players not currently in the NHL, but the attraction to the British Columbia native goes beyond his considerable talent. Despite his unrestricted free agent status, Schultz is still bound to sign an entry-level NHL contract with whichever team he ends up with. Getting a talent like Schultz at a bargain price can give a team flexibility under the salary cap, which can come in handy for other deals, whether it's a big-money free agent like Suter or Parise or a highly-priced trade target like Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets or Bobby Ryan of the Ducks.
The New York Rangers, for example, could benefit tremendously from the addition of Schultz. The Blueshirts are considered one of the teams in the hunt for Nash, but have thus far been reluctant to part with the kind of assets that Columbus general manager Scott Howson is demanding in return, a package that is believed to include one of the Rangers' talented young defenseman. Having Schultz in the fold at a bargain price could make it easier to say goodbye to one of those blueliners - say, Michael Del Zotto - in a trade for Nash, who would give the Blueshirts' offense a much-needed boost.
Of course, the Rangers - who already have a pair of Wisconsin products in Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan - are just one of several teams in the mix on Schultz, a group that could also include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers. Whichever team acquires him, however, will bring in not just a special talent, but a very attractive contract.