Schultz has 2 goals and 4 assists in 4 games.

He runs the PP for Edmonton effectively and is a serious threat to score every time he touches the puck. He gets more ice time than any other player on the Edmonton team, averaging 24:02 minutes per game. Schultz is just not an offensive wiz, he is solid in his own end, kills penalties and generally brings great improvement and hugh upgrade to the quality of the Edmonton defence.

He is currently the leading scorer among defencemen in the NHL as he was in the AHL. He is tied in scoring with Shattenkirk who has 6 assits in 5 games. He is among the leaders for defence scoring and compares very well to: Karlsson, 3 goals, 2 assists in 4 games; Dan Boyle, 2 goals 3 assists in 4 games; Pietrangelo, 1 goal, 4 assists in 5 games; Enstrom, 5 assists in 4 games; Byfuglien, 2 goals and 3 assists in 5 games. That is pretty good company for the rookie coming out of the gate.

Now I realize this is only 4 games and a lot can change over a full 48 game schedule but it would seem to me that a 20 goal 30 assist season for 50 points in a 48 game season is not out of reach for this very mature and gifted rookie. If those kind of numbers are achieved than he has to be considered a Norris Trophy candidate. The Calder discussion is almost over already well perhaps Taresenko might make a race out of it with his 4 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.

Not since Bobby Orr arrived on the scene in 1966 has a rookie defenceman arrived with such early domination. Now I am not saying Schultz is another coming of Bobby Orr. He dominated as an 18 year old kid and changed the game for ever. Schultz is already 22 and Orr had been playing in the NHL for 5 years when he was 22 years old but Schultz is making a very impressive impact nonetheless. Five points in last two games sets him apart from most rookie defensemen.


Now it is clear that most agree that Schultz is already a strong candidate for Rookie of the year but what about the Norris trophy?

Karlson won the Norris last year with his awesome scoring production. It looks like Schultz can match those kind of numbers if he can avoid injury.

Okay lets hear what the nay sayers have to say