Vegas Golden Knights Report Card: Jimmy Schuldt
Jimmy Schuldt only played one game for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018-19 but the future appears bright for the young defenseman.
Jimmy Schuldt: Grade Incomplete
Our 2018-19 Vegas Golden Knights Report Cards continue today as we shift our focus to rookie Jimmy Schuldt, who looks set for a big role with the team going forward.
His season
Having carved out quite a reputation during his collegiate career, Jimmy Schuldt was hot property after leaving St. Cloud University in April.
Around 29 NHL teams were said to be chasing the 24-year-old’s signature, although it was the Golden Knights who won out after signing the highly-touted prospect to an entry-level deal.
Schuldt was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 2018-19 having led all National Collegiate Hockey defensemen with 35 points (10 goals, 25 assists) after a fine season for St. Cloud.
The left-shot was also the only player to be named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s ice hockey player, in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.
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Schuldt arrived in Sin City surrounded by a plethora of fanfare and hype and he was awarded his NHL debut in the regular season finale against the LA Kings on April, 6.
During that game Schuldt logged an impressive 21:03 minutes of ice time, as well as posting his first-ever point in the NHL after grabbing a helper on Valentin Zykov’s tally with a sublime dish.
He showed glimpses of tantalising quality against the Kings and he adds to the Golden Knights’ flurry of young talented blueliners.
Schuldt will get a chance to impress during training camp and there could well be roster spots in the majors up for grabs with Deryk Engelland uncertain to return and Colin Miller a potential candidate to be traded.
Why the grade
Well, it’s pretty obvious isn’t it. It would be unfair to give Schuldt an actual grade given that he has only played one game at the NHL level.
That should change in 2019-20, however, and don’t be surprised to see the young stud handed a big role coming out of training camp.
It is no secret that the Golden Knights are pressing right up against the salary cap and don’t have much room to manoeuvre when it comes to bringing in reinforcements via free agency.
Next. Brayden McNabb Report Card. dark
So, as such, prospects in the ilk of Schuldt, Nic Hague and Cody Glass will have the opportunity to stake a claim for a full time job on the Vegas roster for 2019-20.
The 6’1″, 205lb defenseman is built for the modern day NHL and he combines power with speed and skill to great effect. He has good stick-handling ability and can help with enabling a smooth transition out of the zone.
Schuldt certainly has a high-ceiling and plenty of upside so the onus is now on him to put on a show throughout training camp and show the front office that he’s good enough to morph into a full-time NHL player.
The numbers
Games: 1
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Points: 1
Plus/Minus: -1
ATOI: 21:03
Shifts: 22
Next Report Card: Deryk Engelland