Apparently, the New York Rangers aren't the only American team with a shot at Justin Schultz.
The free agent blueliner has apparently added the Minnesota Wild to his list of potential destinations, according a Twitter report from beat writer Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
"I am told the Wild will meet face to face with Schultz," Russo posted on his Twitter feed (@russostrib).
If that's true, then the Wild will compete with at least five other teams for the services of the former University of Wisconsin star, who used a loophole in the NHL's collective bargaining agreement to free himself from a commitment to the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and was reported Thursday to be entertaining offers from the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.
The Wild have seven defensemen under contract for the 2012-13 season after re-signing restricted free agent Chay Genoway on Friday, but at least three of them - Steve Kampfer, Marco Scandella and Jared Spurgeon - are on two-way contracts. The same is likely true of Genoway, who spent most of last season with the Wild's AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros. If Schultz can live up to the potential that has him so coveted as a free agent, the Wild can certainly give him the ice time to do so.
It's tough to gauge what chance the Wild have and landing Schultz. They're hardly the only non-playoff team on Schultz's short list, joining the Oilers and Maple Leafs, and they're planning to make a big push to add Zach Parise when free agency begins on Sunday. If Wild GM Chuck Fletcher can pull off that splash, then Minnesota could wind up being just as good a home for Schultz as anywhere else rumored to be on the short list.
Money isn't the issue for Schultz, since he's locked into the NHL's entry-level pay scale, so his decision is going to be about the best fit for him. Some teams offer a chance to play for a top contender (New York, Vancouver). Some teams offer a chance to earn lots of ice time (Minnesota, Edmonton). Others offer a chance to play with his former Wisconsin teammates (New York, Toronto). Others still offer geography, whether it's Vancouver near his family's home in Kelowna or the Wild near his home for the last three years at Wisconsin.
Until Schultz signs, we won't know what is most important to him.
