According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Wisconsin junior defenseman Justin Schultz has “de-registered” from school and is looking to sign an NHL contract.
The Anaheim Ducks drafted Schultz in the second round in 2008 and Schultz went back to juniors the following year. With four years having elapsed since getting drafted, Schultz now has 30 days for the Ducks to sign him or trade him or he becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any NHL team on July 1.
North Dakota’s Jason Gregoire and New Hampshire’s Blake Kessel used this same loophole in the 2011 offseason.
McKenzie states that Schultz, who turns 22 in July, may be one of the three top free agents on the market this summer, along with Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter (Wisconsin) and New Jersey captain Zach Parise (North Dakota).
Schultz recorded 16 goals and 44 points in 37 games last season with the Badgers. He has 113 total points over his three years with Wisconsin.
