Former Capitals defenseman and restricted free agent Nate Schmidt is still unsigned by the Vegas Golden Knights, but that will likely change soon.
On Tuesday, the two sides submitted their offers for their upcoming arbitration hearing held in Toronto on Thursday. They’re far apart, but they still have almost two days to negotiate.
LV requested a two-year award on Nate Schmidt at $950K & $1M. Player ask is $2.75M for one year.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 1, 2017
According to Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vegas is offering a two-year deal worth $950,000 in the first year and $1 million in the second year while Schmidt is after a one-year contract worth $2.75 million.
Schmidt’s agent, Matt Keator of Olympic Sports Management, said Monday that he hopes to close the gap with Golden Knights general manager George McPhee and avoid having to go in front of an arbiter later in the week.
“We’re in the same range,” Keator said to Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It’s just a matter of talking and getting a deal done that’s fair to both sides.”
“I’m sure we’ll talk sometime this week,” he continued. “I talked to George last week and there’s no rush. There’s still time.”
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, McPhee is currently attending the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan. McPhee said through a team spokesman that things remained status quoand that the team will make an announcement if a deal gets done prior to Thursday.
In July, Schmidt’s two-year, $1.625 contract ended, which had an annual average value of $812,500. The 26-year-old defenseman spent most of the season on the team’s third pairing with Brooks Orpik. While the Minnesotan’s dashboard stats were unimpressive — three goals and 17 points 60 games — Schmidt and Orpik formed one of the best pairings, in terms of possession, in the entire NHL. Schmidt, after being initially benched by Barry Trotz in the playoffs, tallied a goal and three assists in 11 playoff games.
Schmidt, who will likely receive a bigger role if signed by Vegas Golden Knights, was slated to be in the Capitals top four next season. He’s currently participating in a Minnesota Summer League, Da Beauty League.
@nateschmidt29 you best not tape over that autograph, it's gonna be worth something someday!😜😂Thx 4 humoring my lil dude👊🏻😊 @DaBeautyLeague pic.twitter.com/lXETFNQ5LZ
— Julie H (@JulieH_4) July 27, 2017
