Friedman preaches patience on Oilers' Schultz

Elliotte Friedman was on Edmonton’s 630 CHED on Friday afternoon.

On Justin Schultz:

“I look at Justin Schultz last night. I think there is a lot to be concerned about, about the way he has played. He looks like he’s losing his confidence. He’s looked lost out there. And it’s been building for a couple of games now, not just last night where he got benched.

“I really believe in this day and age the most important thing is patience. Now, with Schultz it’s tougher because the contract situation – it’s a lot more intense at this point in time because you have to deal with it sooner because of where he came from. But at the end of the day, you’re probably not going to know what you really have with Schultz for a year or two because the guy simply has not been in the NHL that long.

“I see a lot of that with Gardiner in Toronto where these are two guys who were so good that they got away with things, in for example the American Hockey League or in college that you can’t get away with here. And you have to get that out of your game.

“I understand the frustration... You can see the guy is trying to do things to help and he’s just putting himself in the wrong positions. But giving up on him – unless you’re getting – like, to find a defenceman who could play offence in this league and who can move the puck, they’re hard to get. Everybody is looking for them.

Related: The Frustration Tracker: NHL Insiders on the Edmonton Oilers

“But I do think if you’re the Oilers, you have to be asking yourself a question: ‘What has happened to this guy’s game and what do we have to do about it?’ Because Justin Schultz is a puck-moving defenceman and those things are hard to find. ‘What do we have to do to correct him, fix him, and get him back on the right path.’

“Because I really do think it’s too soon to give up him, unless you’re getting something enormous in return.”

Source: 630 CHED/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey