Nate Schmidt was picked by the Vegas Golden Knights.
According to a source, Caps were in discussion with VGK on a trade that would've saved Schmidt. Asking price too high.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 21, 2017
Capitals fans freaked.
can we trade ovechkin and orpik for Schmidt? That would open up the money.
— Here (@backwards_man12) June 21, 2017
When Nate Schmidt gets traded next week, look carefully at the price. That's approximately what the Caps wouldn't pay to keep him in D.C.
— Good Tweet Pete 🌮 (@peterhassett) June 22, 2017
Losing Nate Schmidt for nothing is inexcusably awful asset management
— Pat Holden (@pfholden) June 22, 2017
NATE SCHMIDT SHOULDVE BEEN PROTECTED OVER CARLSON https://t.co/MRmebu6fsW
— 🅰️NGERY&SAD 99999…% (@averagecapsfan) June 21, 2017
They are right. Sitting Schmidt in favor of Brooks Orpik and Karl Alzner was dumb. Schmidt’s break out abilities showed in the playoffs. His CorsiFor Percentage was third behind Kevin Shattenkirk and Dmitry Orlov. And look at how happy he is!
https://t.co/lEVEwkQnfT pic.twitter.com/99YzQsFAz0
— RMNB (@russianmachine) June 21, 2017
However, Brian MacLellan has a plan. And there are a few silver linings.
Brian MacLellan statement on Schmidt's selection: pic.twitter.com/SvpsbvErRU
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 22, 2017
The youth movement is here
The Caps wanted younger forwards from Hershey. In turn, this could help Washington on defense. BMac thinks one of his defensemen in Hershey is ready for primetime.
NEWS: The #Caps have re-signed defenseman Christian Djoos (@Djorre00) to a two-year, $1.3 million contract. https://t.co/zlsG3FCc3Q pic.twitter.com/6OYeZHhL4k
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 22, 2017
Christian Djoos plays a very similar game to Schmidt. Djoos is a smart player who makes a good first pass and does not panic with the puck. He is small; listed at 6’0” and 162 lbs. He is projected to be as good or better than fellow Cap Dmitry Orlov.
There are a few other players who could make the team. Madison Bowey, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Lucas Johansen improved in Hershey. However, they will not get big minutes, yet.
Bowey is not ready for a top-four NHL role, y'all. He hasn't played in a single NHL game yet. https://t.co/hSvun6BApg
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 21, 2017
Barry Trotz is on the hot seat
Trotz is not good when it comes to developing young talent. He sat Filip Forsberg when he was in Nashville. Trotz sat Schmidt over the course of two seasons. MacLellan forced Trotz to move Dmitry Orlov up the line up. And Todd Reirden is now an associate coach, not an assistant coach.
Losing defensemen to free agency and Vegas is bad. Forcing Trotz to play younger players and allow them to develop under Reirden’s tutelage is good though. Schmidt, Orlov, and Andre Burakovsky are excellent examples of this theory. It is time to put it into practice.
Vegas is keeping Schmidt
It was originally reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted Schmidt.
REPORT: Leafs interested in Nate Schmidt of Las Vegas https://t.co/b05E8jJLG8
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) June 22, 2017
Vegas said no.
Asked GM GM about Nate Schmidt, says he's not trading any of his young players. Keeping Schmidt.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 22, 2017
To promote hockey in Vegas, guys need to talk to the media and be great ambassadors of the game. Marc-Andre Fleury was a great pick for this reason. Schmidt is the underrated player here. If anyone can sell hockey to the desert, it is an un-drafted Minnesotan with a huge smile.
With the addition of Nate Schmidt and Marc-Andre Fleury, the Golden Knights are a very smiley team.
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) June 22, 2017
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