Move Dubois sign Scheifele and Helle to extensions

If Schmidt is a cap dump, Chicago is unlikely to pay for him as he isn't a needed piece for them. Sure they can flip him at the deadline, but if he gets injured and they can't they lose a 3rd round pick for nothing which is a problem for a rebuilding team. They are taking on a risk in the hope of flipping him for a better pick.

Barron better not play on the top pair.

He may get there but he didnt play on MTL this year until there were injuries. He isnt cracking that

Montreal would likely rather move the Cat's 1st than Barron since we are also desperately in need of a top pairing RHD.

Barron isn't going to be a top pair guy. He could end up a really good 2nd pair guy but his iq n reactionary sense lacks to be that any matchup, go to guy.

"cap dumps" generally involve the draft picks being attached to the dump and going with the dump, not a rebuilding team sending a pick in the top 100 for the priveledge of eating 6 million a year in cap for a couple years and 10 million in real life money for a dman with a lot of miles on the odometer about to turn 32 who is showing some decline in his game. I would not have paid Schmidt 6 per at his peak and sure ain't pay a draft pick to do it for 2 season in the hopes he doesn't get even worse and you MIGHT be able to move him in 2 trade deadline. Hard pass and no chance without starting the conversation with a 1st rounder or first round equivalent pick and then something else you won't want to part with.