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

You honestly think Schultz will match Karlsson's production form last year? Get real. You're talking almost a point-per-game.

Calder sure. Norris? lol Schutlz won't have enough even-strength production to even be considered. He's pretty much a power play spe******t.

I love early season threads.

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Shultz may or may not match Karlsson's stats from last year.
I agree that 4 games is too little to say he will, but it is also to early to say he will not.
One thing that Schultz has going for him that Karlsson did not is Hall, RNH, Eberle and Yakapov.

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He's averaging 24 TOI/game, that's hardly a spec-ial-ist. Not saying he's a Norris contender. Just sayin'...

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Schultz has a lot of things going for him this year. Another not mentioned above would be the shorter season. Since he has never faced the 82 game schedule, he may be able to keep up an above normal pace for the duration of this season where younger players would typically tire in the second half.

Is not entirely out of the question, he could put up numbers comparable to those guys this year, but I can't put him in the same company as the names you listed yet.

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could very well see him putting up karlsson numbers

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I was sure you would jump on this one. Well let me just say I jumped on this guys bandwaggon two years ago and he has not disappointed me yet. I just want to be on record as having raised his name with respect to the Norris trophy first.

I am well aware that it is really to early to be thinking about the Norris trophy winner 5 games into the season but his guy is very impressive and he is way more than a PP magician so I am staking my claim.

He could score 45pts because of his company. He's a great talent but Norris is insane. Not this year for sure. Maybe Never!

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There is very, very, very little chance that he will win the Norris. I'll be surprised if he is nominated. No rookie has ever won the trophy.

You are comparing this kid to Bobby Orr. BOBBY ORR, the greatest of all time... Gimme a break....

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