Oilers settle before arbitration with Schultz on another one-year deal

EDMONTON - Justin Schultz and the Edmonton Oilers have settled before arbitration on a one-year contract.

Schultz got a second-straight one-year deal after signing one as a restricted free agent last summer.

The 25-year-old defenceman reportedly earned a raise up to US$3.9 million after making $3.675 million this past season.

Schultz has been considered a big piece of the Oilers' future, and the pressure remains for him to grow into a top-four mainstay.

The six-foot-two native of Kelowna, B.C., has 66 goals and 91 assists 203 games into his NHL career.

Offence isn't a problem for Schultz but rather the defensive end of the ice, where he still needs to develop.