Schultz is all of 12 days younger. I don't see what's wrong with taking Del Zotto for the future based on being better now.
Nothing wrong with it. But theres nothing wrong with going the other way either. MDZ was way better then Schultz 4 years ago when they were drafted... Schultz has taken huge strides to close that gap.
An argument to say Schultz has/will overtake him can be made.
Nothing wrong with it. But theres nothing wrong with going the other way either. MDZ was way better then Schultz 4 years ago when they were drafted... Schultz has taken huge strides to close that gap.
An argument to say Schultz has/will overtake him can be made.
Definitely an argument both ways, that's why it's close.
__________________ "I don't get why Richards looks like he's dying at the end of every shift, he doesn't do anything." -Crease
Good thing then that the poll isnt asking who is the best player today.
And what exactly does Schultz bring in potential that Del Zotto doesn't have in spades? MDZ was drafted quite a bit higher (and he actually fell in that draft). He's also spent the last 3+ seasons showing his ability to improve on every aspect of his game to the point that one of his biggest knocks on draft day (his defense) is now a strength.
What exactly has Schultz done to give him so much more potential than a guy who was drafted higher (ie- started with more potential) and has proceeded to accomplish things (top 15 in Norris vote last year, two seasons of 35+ points including one 40+ season) that Schultz hasn't touched?
I know Schultz looked great in the AHL, but seriously? Sleazing his way out of his draft team and half an AHL season are pretty much his only accomplishments to date. I honestly don't know how anyone can look at the two, now OR in the future, and pick Schultz. Is it just because he plays on a Canadian team?
Nothing wrong with it. But theres nothing wrong with going the other way either. MDZ was way better then Schultz 4 years ago when they were drafted... Schultz has taken huge strides to close that gap.
An argument to say Schultz has/will overtake him can be made.
You say that like Del Zotto has remained static. He's improved by leaps and bounds himself, particularly on the defensive side of the puck. Schultz would have had to improve himself to SUCH a degree that he not only closed the initial gap, but closed the distance that Del Zotto has added to that gap over the last three years.
I'll ask the question seriously--I've only seen Schultz play twice (this season)--what about Schultz' accomplishments or play makes you think that he has a higher ceiling than a guy who has accomplished SO much more at the same age? Serious question--nobody has offered anything specific, and I'm having trouble seeing this as even close.
Proven player vs. unproven player.. Has to be MDZ, but I am happy that Schultz is on the Oilers, he has played very well offensively (and defensively) this year.
You say that like Del Zotto has remained static. He's improved by leaps and bounds himself, particularly on the defensive side of the puck. Schultz would have had to improve himself to SUCH a degree that he not only closed the initial gap, but closed the distance that Del Zotto has added to that gap over the last three years.
I'll ask the question seriously--I've only seen Schultz play twice (this season)--what about Schultz' accomplishments or play makes you think that he has a higher ceiling than a guy who has accomplished SO much more at the same age? Serious question--nobody has offered anything specific, and I'm having trouble seeing this as even close.
Why might he have a better ceiling?
Believe it or not, some of his tools are better then Del Zotto's, and his hockey IQ is top notch. Potential is not based on previous accomplishments.
I find it is funny to make fun of somebody who judges a player A based on one game watched but on other hand confident that player A better then player B in all aspects of the game based on only 10 games in NHL when player B played over 200 games
Not sure what the future will be for this 2 players but as it is now MDZ wins easily
It baffles me that this is even a question. Del Zotto has been the better player so far in this season (a ridiculously small sample size). He also has an amazing full season last year, which saw him put up 40+ points and finish 12th or 13th in the Norris vote.
MDZ was drafted higher, has accomplished (MUCH) more, and has even improved from his impressive season last year.
Schultz may eventually make this a real discussion when we see what he can do over a full season, but right now? Anyone who DOESN'T immediately pick Del Zotto is blinded by something. The future is the future, but today? It just isn't even remotely close.
MDZ easily now, toss-up in the future because Schultz is an unknown though.
One thing though, you do realize 12th in the Norris voting isn't really that impressive, right?
He got 3 votes.. one 4th and two 5ths. Same people who gave Matt Cooke a 4th place vote for the Lady Byng here... one or two outliers doesn't mean anything.
Definitely MDZ today because he's more polished.. but his ceiling is also much more well defined than Schultz's. For all we know, Schultz may bust.. for all we know, Schultz may be amazing. Kind of know what we are getting from MDZ though.
And what exactly does Schultz bring in potential that Del Zotto doesn't have in spades? MDZ was drafted quite a bit higher (and he actually fell in that draft). He's also spent the last 3+ seasons showing his ability to improve on every aspect of his game to the point that one of his biggest knocks on draft day (his defense) is now a strength.
What exactly has Schultz done to give him so much more potential than a guy who was drafted higher (ie- started with more potential) and has proceeded to accomplish things (top 15 in Norris vote last year, two seasons of 35+ points including one 40+ season) that Schultz hasn't touched?
I know Schultz looked great in the AHL, but seriously? Sleazing his way out of his draft team and half an AHL season are pretty much his only accomplishments to date. I honestly don't know how anyone can look at the two, now OR in the future, and pick Schultz. Is it just because he plays on a Canadian team?
I'm a die hard Oiler fan and Justin Schultz has impressed me so much this year but I got to agree with you that with everything MDZ has accomplished and if you take into account his age and NHL experience then it should make him the easy choice for a lot of people. In saying that, I don't necessarily agree that it makes him the correct choice.
Like yourself with Schultz, I haven't seen a big lot of MDZ's games this year so I really have no idea how well he's been playing so far but I have seen every game Schultz has played including his AHL games. I've watched quite a few Ranger games in the past and in all honesty, Schultz has played just as good this year as I've ever seen MDZ play. For me I think it's still too early to tell who will be better but I have a big belief that we actually haven't even seen Schultz's true abilities this season let alone in his career. I think he's actually better offensively than we've seen him play so far and that's saying something. So this is why i see no reason to blame a guy for picking Schultz for this poll. I also don't think we've seen the best of MDZ either which is why I'm not gonna choose between the 2 just yet.
Good thing then that the poll isnt asking who is the best player today.
