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.

3.5 mill for a backup is insane, especially when Helle plays almost 70 games a year.. They team can save at least 2 mill just re-signing Rittich.

Yeah that's not how cap dumps work.

You do realize that Arizona took Vorachek and a 6th for Jon Gilles this year right? Schmidt would fetch at least a 2nd at the deadline. The probability of that 6th round pick even making the nhl is slim to none. This is exactly how cap dumps work.

You do realize that Arizona is the most poor team in the league right? They took that deal knowing vorachek will never play again and his contract will be paid by insurance. The hawks on the other hand are one of the richest teams in the league not about to take on a terrible contract without getting properly compensated.

The Blackhawks are certainly open to taking on cap. However they need picks in return - specifically 1st round picks.

Which deadline? You realize he is under contract for TWO more years and if the Hawks grand plan is to take on a fairly negative contract for an aging overpriced D and then move him in March '25 for MAYBE a 2nd....the better plan is to buy 2 immediate 2nd's (cause recent history shows dumping a single year of 4-5 million costs a 2nd to do) and cut out all the hoping projecting....and most importantly helping the Jets for no apparent good reason.