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.
-- See Blueshirt Banter for more on the Rangers