My personal take is that Shultz is really underrated. Just like Smid is underrated. They both can skate really well and make plays out of their own ends. The Oilers don't need guys that don't play hard in their own end and it was just a year ago we were all complaining about Gilbert's lack of physicality. Schultz is a durable hard to play against D man that eats up minutes. I think in the long term people will like this deal.
I have nothing against Shultz but the problem I have is Gilbert's physicality has been the biggest thing in his game this year. That would be like waiting for Smid th develop then trade him.
It's probably a good deal for both teams but it's sad to see Gilbert go.
Schultz is a character guy who is loved by team mates, was taught how to play D by Lemaire, has very low PIM's and is in the top 20 shot blocking in the NHL. He is also slightly cheaper and should bring some stability to the blue line.
I'm starting to like this deal more and more every minute I always thought we had to many, sorry if I offend anybody, prototypical American d. We have a lot of lefty dmen now.
So people are irrate that we get a solid stay at home guy when our current group sucks in our own end. Gilbert is decent 2-ways, but Schultz is way better in our own end, which is what we really, really need. What is the problem with this trade?
Gilbert looked great at the start of the year, but has come crashing back down to earth. He is decent, but by no means great.
Preeeetty perplexed at the move. By most accounts Gilbert was really playing well and finally a real asset. Maybe Tambo knew he wanted too much, or something. Or as other said, maybe he wanted to live in Minnesota. A little disappointing either way.
I think with the regression of pecks, we needed to get a shutdown dman. someone with good gap control, I remember peck doing a decent job last year, this year, pecks did too much. As much as we need offense, i think we are moving towards a structured shutdown game. remember the beginning of the year, we won with AHL dmen? lol
Gilbert hasn't been the same since he was injured a few years back (I remember he didn't play the WC because of a bad back). He rarely skates with the puck out of the zone like he used it. Something was up.
The more I look at this, the happier I am. Everyone on these boards would have been shouting for joy if Gilbert was moved in any of the last two years. He has been much better this year, but is still not an elite puck moving d-man.
The Oilers have trouble keeping the puck out of the net. They are soft in their own zone. Schultz helps all of their needs.
This Oilers team is going to score from the forward corps. They are not going to need huge offensive production from the back end.
