Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray had to vent a bit as his team’s former prospect, coveted defenceman Justin Schultz, pulled on an Edmonton Oilers jersey.
The Ducks’ 2008 second-round draft pick, a star at the University of Wisconsin, inked a deal with the Oilers on Saturday after fielding offers from a number of other teams. Schultz, a 21-year-old native of Westbank, B.C., had suggested that he’s always wanted to play in Canada.
According a report in the Orange County Register, those comments rankled Murray; Schultz never called the GM to explain that he was going to opt not to sign with the Ducks and exploit the loophole in the collective bargaining agreement that permitted him to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
“I’m more confused than ever,” Murray told the paper. ”I read everything of course. I’ve moved on. I’m confused because, if he had it in his mind that he wanted to play in Canada, then OK. I get that. I’m a Canadian too.
“But Eric Lindros when he didn’t want to play in Quebec, he went to his team that drafted him and said ‘No, I’m not going to play there.’ He allowed that team to make a move to get something for him. He told us numerous times he wanted to play with us. He needed to just tell us the truth.”
Murray believes the loophole Schultz leapt through should be closed in the next CBA between the players and owners.
“This is unfair, not only for the organization, but it’s unfair for the Anaheim Duck fans,” Murray said. ”It’s unfair to other fans, the Phoenix Coyotes with Blake Wheeler. We’re all aware of other players coming along that are in this situation.
“It’s just wrong. I sure hope the NHL realizes they dropped the ball big time.”
