The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed the 26-year-old defenseman to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million, the club announced Wednesday.
Schultz was dealt to Pittsburgh from the Edmonton Oilers in February, and although he spent time as a scratch, he emerged as an effective blue-liner for the Penguins on their march to the Cup, especially after Trevor Daley was injured.
In 18 regular-season contests with Pittsburgh last season, Schultz recorded eight points, adding four more in 15 playoff games.
Last season's race for the Calder Trophy had everything.
A battle between "The Next One," a player many deemed too old to be a rookie, and a college defenseman that seemingly jumped onto the scene out of nowhere.
However, as the NHL has been subject to time and time again, at least a handful of rookie sensations are likely to fall victim to the ever-daunting sophomore slump.
Of course, a statistical regression in one season is not the be-all, end-all of one's career. Players can be the victims of their own demise simply for having such incredible first seasons.
With that in mind, here are three players who could see a regression next season, and the plausible reasons why:
Shayne Gostisbehere
Gostisbehere came, saw, and conquered last season.
After beginning the season with a strong 10 points in 14 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Gostisbehere was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers in mid-November and never went back.
Gostisbehere put up 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games, which would give him 58 points when averaged over a full 82-game season and would have placed him tied for fifth among all defensemen in scoring.
The 23-year-old's play was nothing short of spectacular, and the biggest knock and likely reason for a drop in production is simply because he was so outstanding during his first taste of NHL action, it may be hard for him to uphold that.
Gostisbehere had the second-highest shooting percentage of all defensemen - New York Rangers' Kevin Klein ranked first - with an incredible 11.2 percent success rate this past season, which is likely unsustainable.
He is an extreme talent, but if his numbers even-out or teams start to zero-in on him, Gostisbehere can expect to see at least a slight decline in production next season.
The 22-year-old is coming off his first full-season in the league boasting incredible numbers, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average in 40 games.
However, as he gets ready to take the ice as a No. 1 for the first time in his career, he will be dealt a different set of cards. He will likely see a lot more games this time around, even with former Maple Leafs No. 1 Jonathan Bernier as his second-in-command.
With a lot more action faced, and with increased pressure, we can expect his numbers to falter - even if slightly. Gibson struggled this postseason before giving way for Andersen. This time around, he might not have such a luxury.
Artemi Panarin
The reigning Calder Trophy-winner needed no feeling-out period shifting from the KHL to the NHL.
Panarin set the league ablaze, becoming the first rookie to hit the 70-point plateau since his linemate Patrick Kane did so in 2008. He tallied the most points by a rookie since Evgeni Malkin put up 85 points in 2007.
Alongside Kane and Artem Anisimov, the 24-year-old helped complete arguably the league's most lethal trio this season - one that combined for 96 goals and 225 points.
All things are looking up for Panarin, but his numbers could slip if one constant doesn't remain - that constant being Kane. The 27-year-old had by far his best season in the league, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring en route to capturing the Hart Trophy with 46 goals and 106 points.
Kane had a large stake in Panarin's production, factoring in on 72.7 percent of his points. So suffice it to say, if Kane's numbers slip a bit next season, so too will Panarin's.
Last season's race for the Calder Trophy had everything.
A battle between "The Next One," a player many deemed too old to be a rookie, and a college defenseman that seemingly jumped onto the scene out of nowhere.
However, as the NHL has been subject to time and time again, at least a handful of rookie sensations are likely to fall victim to the ever-daunting sophomore slump.
Of course, a statistical regression in one season is not the be-all, end-all of one's career. Players can be the victims of their own demise simply for having such incredible first seasons.
With that in mind, here are three players who could see a regression next season, and the plausible reasons why:
Shayne Gostisbehere
Gostisbehere came, saw, and conquered last season.
After beginning the season with a strong 10 points in 14 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Gostisbehere was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers in mid-November and never went back.
Gostisbehere put up 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games, which would give him 58 points when averaged over a full 82-game season and would have placed him tied for fifth among all defensemen in scoring.
The 23-year-old's play was nothing short of spectacular, and the biggest knock and likely reason for a drop in production is simply because he was so outstanding during his first taste of NHL action, it may be hard for him to uphold that.
Gostisbehere had the second-highest shooting percentage of all defensemen - New York Rangers' Kevin Klein ranked first - with an incredible 11.2 percent success rate this past season, which is likely unsustainable.
He is an extreme talent, but if his numbers even-out or teams start to zero-in on him, Gostisbehere can expect to see at least a slight decline in production next season.
The 22-year-old is coming off his first full-season in the league boasting incredible numbers, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average in 40 games.
However, as he gets ready to take the ice as a No. 1 for the first time in his career, he will be dealt a different set of cards. He will likely see a lot more games this time around, even with former Maple Leafs No. 1 Jonathan Bernier as his second-in-command.
With a lot more action faced, and with increased pressure, we can expect his numbers to falter - even if slightly. Gibson struggled this postseason before giving way for Andersen. This time around, he might not have such a luxury.
Artemi Panarin
The reigning Calder Trophy-winner needed no feeling-out period shifting from the KHL to the NHL.
Panarin set the league ablaze, becoming the first rookie to hit the 70-point plateau since his linemate Patrick Kane did so in 2008. He tallied the most points by a rookie since Evgeni Malkin put up 85 points in 2007.
Alongside Kane and Artem Anisimov, the 24-year-old helped complete arguably the league's most lethal trio this season - one that combined for 96 goals and 225 points.
All things are looking up for Panarin, but his numbers could slip if one constant doesn't remain - that constant being Kane. The 27-year-old had by far his best season in the league, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring en route to capturing the Hart Trophy with 46 goals and 106 points.
Kane had a large stake in Panarin's production, factoring in on 72.7 percent of his points. So suffice it to say, if Kane's numbers slip a bit next season, so too will Panarin's.
Potential summer trade candidates & latest on the Rangers in your NHL rumor mill. SUMMER TRADE CANDIDATES ESPN.COM: Matthew Coller lists New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash, St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, Anaheim Ducks blueliner Cam Fowler, Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie, Minnesota Wild blueliner Matt Dumba […]
George McPhee named Las Vegas GM, latest contract signings & more in this morning’s collection of NHL headlines. LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Former Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee has been selected as the GM for Las Vegas’ NHL expansion franchise. A news conference is set for today to make the official announcement. SPECTOR’S NOTE: […]
"The feeling being back in Montreal, it'll never change," Subban said. "It's always going to be like that for me. Montreal's going to be home because of the relationships that I've built here. I love Montreal. I've always loved the city. When it really comes down to it, I never envisioned myself playing for any other team other than the Montreal Canadiens."
Subban called his relationship with Canadiens fans "unspeakable," and said it's the reason why he'll always feel connected to the city and the province of Quebec.
While the 27-year-old was a lightning rod for criticism, especially last season during the Canadiens' fantastic collapse, he said he was always treated well by the fans and that it was a dream come true to play in the bleu, blanc, et rouge.
"This is a business," Subban added. "I can't forget that."
Subban also recounted a story from his childhood, when he was gifted a Canadiens jersey with his name on the back. He treasured that sweater as a kid, and said that being able to wear a Montreal sweater in the NHL makes him feel luckier than every other player in the NHL. But it's Boxing Day now, Subban added, Christmas is over, and it's time to move on.
"I just wanted to make my dad proud," Subban said. "I knew he was a huge Habs fan."
Subban also discussed his $10-million donation to Montreal's Children Hospital during the interview, and some of the criticism - that he was motivated by political reasons - that came with it.
"I don't feel that I need to define my reasons for wanting to help people," Subban said. "Like, people should want to help people."
Part two of the Sportsnet exclusive will air Wednesday night.
Las Vegas' NHL expansion team doesn't yet have a name, but its front office is coming together.
Former Washington Capitals executive George McPhee will be named general manager of the club by owner Bill Foley, according to multiplereports. The announcement will be made Wednesday at a 4 p.m. ET press conference at T-Mobile Arena.
McPhee turned 58 on July 2 and made his mark with the Capitals. He was general manager in D.C. from 1997 through 2014, winning seven division titles and making one Stanley Cup Final appearance. He served as a special advisor to New York Islanders GM Garth Snow in 2015-16.
In McPhee, Foley gets an experienced executive and general manager who over the years certainly made strong relationships throughout the league. The Vegas franchise will begin play in the 2017-18 season, and McPhee will now be tasked with putting together his club through what will undoubtedly be a fascinating expansion draft.
"I'd go to Iceland to (be a general manager again)," McPhee said after his time in Washington concluded, according to Carp. "Doesn't matter where it is."
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Defenceman Korbinian Holzer has agreed to a one-year, $700,000 deal to return to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks announced the deal Tuesday.
The German defenceman played 29 games for Anaheim last season, recording three assi...
The 39-year-old agreed to a one-year contract to remain with the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, and wants to set straight the doubters who have questioned why he continues to remain with the franchise that drafted him.
During Doan's 20 years in the league he has managed to make the postseason just nine times, including his first season with the franchise when they were known as the Winnipeg Jets.
But it was only in the 2011-2012 season, when the Coyotes lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Los Angeles Kings, that his team managed to make it past the first round of the playoffs.
With the improved roster general manager John Chayka has been assembling in the offseason, it will be interesting to see how Doan and company fare in their quest for Lord Stanley next season.
