The Jackets have added some defensive depth and experience as the team marches toward the playoffs. With Fedor Tyutin and Ryan Murray on the sidelines due to injury, the Jackets were able to acquire veteran Nick Schultz from the Edmonton Oilers for a fifth round pick.
The price is minimal for a player who will shore up the defense. Aside from strong goaltending, depth is the most important component to a winning team in the playoffs, and Schultz adds just that.
It remains to be seen if he sees action over the likes of Cody Goloubef or Dalton Prout, but the one intangible he brings is experience.
Schultz is a UFA at season’s end, with a cap hit of $3.5 million.
This deal may seem underwhelming, but it fits a requirement for the Jackets, at a very fair price. I’ve personally been saying for a few weeks now that this kind of move was the extent of what I thought the Jackets should do, so color me satisfied.