2012 Rangers Offseason: Justin Schultz Goes To Edmonton Oilers

After courting prized defenseman Justin Schultz for quite some time, the New York Rangers came up empty.

Schultz spurned the Big Apple for a slice of western Canada, and will sign with the Edmonton Oilers, according to the team's official Twitter account.

Schultz was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks back in 2008, but their rights to him ran out this summer after he played at the University of Wisconsin for four seasons. He became the hottest rookie free agent on the market, having his pick of multiple teams before deciding a future with Edmonton.

According to Mark Spector, Schultz will have a cap hit of $3.775 million. Not bad for a guy who has never even played a second in an NHL game.

Schultz was being pursued by the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild along with the Rangers and Oilers. However, he ultimately went with a very young yet up-and-coming team that with the bevy of talent it possesses, could be very dangerous sooner rather than later.

All is not lost for New York, who could certainly use that money on a goal-scoring forward. Time will tell what general manager Glen Sather has in mind.

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Justin Schultz Rumors: Rangers Out Of Running For Defenseman, According To Report

The New York Rangers will not be the team that lands coveted defenseman Justin Schultz according to the Twitter feed from Bob McKenzie of TSN.

New York was one of six teams in the running for Schultz, who was declared a free agent on Monday after spending the last three years at the University of Wisconsin. The 6-foot-2 Schultz was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, but his representation found a loophole in the soon to be expired CBA that allowed him to become a free agent because he spent an extra year in junior hockey.

The Rangers were the only American team considered by Schultz, who preferred to stay closer to home in Western Canada. Other teams trying to sign Schultz included the Edmonton Oilers, the Vancouver Canucks, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Ottawa Senators. According to McKenzie, the Toronto Maple Leafs were also eliminated from consideration.

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Justin Schultz Rumors: New York Rangers Only U.S. Team Under Consideration

The New York Rangers are reportedly the only U.S. team invited to make an offer for rookie defenseman Justin Schultz, the former University of Wisconsin star who is a free agent after rejecting an offer from the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him in 2008. The Rangers have also reportedly made their presentation to Schultz.

As we had written earlier, Schultz has expressed a preference for playing for a team in Western Canada, which is where he is from. According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, however, the willingness of Rangers head coach John Tortorella to give young players ice time works in the Rangers favor.

Tortorella gave rookie Chris Kreider, added to the roster during the Rangers 2012 playoff run, considerable ice time.

Schultz is limited to signing a two-year entry level contract as a free agent. Thus, this decision will be about where Schultz is comfortable playing, not about money.

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Justin Schultz Rumors: Defenseman Prefers To Play In Western Canada, Per Report

Free agent defenseman Justin Schultz could play for almost any NHL team he wanted to at this point. However, a Thursday report says that his list of preferred teams is a small one. According to the Detroit News, Schultz would like to play for a team in Western Canada.

A native of British Columbia, Schultz will meet with five or six teams in Toronto this week. If he is steadfast in his demand to play close to home, that would leave the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and, of course, the Vancouver Canucks as the most likely destinations. He rejected the Red Wings.

Almost any team in the league could use his talent. Just 22 years old, Schultz has a rare scoring touch for a blueliner. The New York Rangers were one of several teams said to be interested, but that option could be off the table if this report proves to be accurate.

Schultz is limited to signing a two-year entry level contract as a free agent. He spurned Anaheim who drafted him in 2008, setting up his unrestricted free agency this year.

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Justin Schultz Rumors: Twenty-Six Teams Express Interest, According To Bob McKenzie

In some respects, free agent defenseman Justin Schultz is the most sought-after free agent -- even ahead of world-class talents like Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The 21-year-old out of Wisconsin hasn't played an NHL shift, but he oozes offensive talent so rare for a blueliner and will command an entry-level contract that's cheap compared to his ability that he has become a target of literally the entire league, including the New York Rangers.

As TSN's Bob McKenzie reports via twitter, the interest in Schultz sky-high and he soon may pare down the competition.

26 NHL teams have expressed interest in UFA dman Justin Schultz, a shortlist of 5, give or take a team or two, likely by this afternoon.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 27, 2012

As stipulated by the collective-bargaining agreement, Schultz can only earn a two-year entry-level contract (plus some bonus money), which is what makes this a unique situation. The decision will be totally his because every team will offer him the same salary. Thus, the right-handed shooting defenseman will weigh his options based on comfort level and role on the team. He's from Kelowna, British Columbia, and some have said he intends to stick in Canada, while others say they could see him playing with old college friends.

Wednesday is the first day teams can begin to formally make offers, but he cannot officially sign a deal until July 1, the start of free agency. It's very likely that his choice could be reported before that date.

The Rangers have just one right-handed shot (Dan Girardi) figured into their everyday plans next season, so they would offer Schultz a top-four role, some power play time and a chance to play with former Wisconsin teammates, Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. Whether Schultz considers them as much as the Rangers covet him is another thing. It appears we may at least find out part of the answer very soon.

Justin Schultz Rumors: Rangers Just One Of Many Interested In Defenseman