I think the Jets would rather keep Schmidt to be honest. Apart from being overpaid, he's a solid Dman who can babysit the new guys until they get their bearings (Like Samberg last year). The Jets will likely clear the cap space to fit the Bucky and Scheif deals some other way.

Hawks should accept that. Not like they have any young RD they need to make room for yet. I'd just be happy to not have to watch zaitsev try to play defense anymore. Don't see what's in it for Winnipeg.

Hawks decline. Rather just keep the final year of Zaitsev than take on the extra year of Schmidt. Finding a 3rd pair RD for next season should be simple enough.

Chicago would be doing a massive favour to the jets here, hawks decline

Schmitt has more value to the jets then Zaitsev would. Schmitt is overpaid for sure, but it isnt an issue right now for the jets. He is also a really good locker room guy and has the potential to get back to being a 30 point dman

I don't think this makes sense for either side. But it probably makes more sense for WPG getting rid of that extra year of Schmidt and getting the lower cap hit. Y'all wouldn't like Zaitsev, though, trust me. You'd be screaming to have Schmidt back if you had to watch Zaitsev night in and night out.