Joined: Jul. 2018
Posts: 349
Likes: 246
Vancouver wins this deal. I know Vegas knows they are shedding cap space, but even if you take into account Vegas getting Pietrangelo, Vancouver still improves more. It's not that Schmidt is as good as Pietrangelo, but Vancouver adds Schmidt to a gaping hole in their line up, while Vegas just upgrades Schmidt to Pietrangelo. Schmidt is more of an improvement on nothing, then Pietrangelo is on Schmidt.
Personally, I don't think Vegas gains very much overall. The D they got is better, but a year older, and signed for 2 years longer at a nearly 50% raise over what they had. Part of what you pay AP for is his power play ability, but I am not convinced he takes the spot from Theodore, so they may not get full value for that. I don't think the gap between Schmidt and Pietrangelo at 5 on 5 is worth the extra $2.9M in cap hit, and the more risky years at the end of the deal.
Either way, Vancouver needed a good all round defensmen, and they get one for a 3rd who is on a solid contract. Good move for them.