Schmidt has been skating on Vegas' first defensive pairing as of late, now averaging 22:28 of ice time on the season.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old has already set a career high for points in the desert as well, now up to 20 points (three assists, 17 goals) in 46 games. Although his point total is still rather modest, Schmidt's production has been consistent, as he's only gone four or more games without recording a point twice in 2017-18. After being stuck behind a deep defensive corps in Washington, it appears a fresh start and increased responsibility was what Schmidt needed to find his game.

Schmidt collected two assists -- one on the power play -- during Friday's 4-3 shootout win over Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

The two helpers give Schmidt four assists through four December games and improve him to 14 points -- one goal -- through 28 games for the campaign. The offensive production has the 26-year-old defenseman on the fantasy radar in most settings, but he will probably continue to have scoring peaks and valleys. Additionally, Schmidt doesn't significantly tilt the scales in the peripheral categories with 37 shots, six PIM, 12 hits, 45 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating on the season.

Schmidt logged one assist in Sunday's 3-2 overtime victory over Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt has developed into one of Vegas' key defensemen as averages 22:23 of ice time and 2:31 of power-play time per game, and has already notched 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in 25 games thus far in 2017-18 -- including assists in each of his last two games. He's already well on his way to surpassing his career high points total of 17, and the 26-year-old seems to have finally found his niche in the NHL after being overlooked in Washington's deep defensive core the last four seasons.

Schmidt recorded a pair of assists -- including one with the man advantage -- in Friday's 7-0 blowout win over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

The top-pairing defenseman is now up to one goal and five helpers on the young season. Schmidt isn't all that physical, but his offensive game is flourishing and his playing for an expansion franchise has afforded him the chance to see a level of playing time (21:45 entering Friday's game) that he never would've received with the Capitals.

Schmidt tallied a power-play assist in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

After scoring three points in his first two games, Schmidt had been held scoreless over his last five. His assist on Tuesday was his first point on the power play this season. Averaging 21:45 of ice time per game with 3:39 coming on the man advantage, the Minnesota native should see regular scoring chances throughout the season.

Schmidt posted a goal, assist and three shots on goal in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Coyotes on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

For the second straight night, Vegas came back in the third period to win - this time in overtime. Schmidt tied the game at one with 1:12 remaining in regulation, and then he picked up the secondary assist on James Neal's game-winniner in overtime. Schmidt is a very talented defenseman who is just beginning to discover his full potential, and on the Golden Knights, it wouldn't at all be a surprise to see him set a new career-high in minutes. On Saturday, he led Vegas in time on ice with 25:18.

Schmidt (ankle) has been skating in Vegas each day since Tuesday and is expected to participate when training camp opens Friday, Dan Marrazza of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The former Caps defenseman suffered the injury while hurdling during an August workout, around a month later Schmidt has declared himself "pretty close to 100 percent." This is music to the ears of the new franchise, as Schmidt projects to be their No. 1 defenseman after emerging for Washington during the 2017 postseason. With this in mind, it's still difficult to project Schmidt as anything more than a secondary or tertiary option on the blueline for fantasy rosters.

Schmidt sustained an ankle injury that prevented him from attending a street hockey clinic in Montana on Friday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the expansion Golden Knights would have little reason to press one of their more established players into a promotional event, it's discouraging that he's dealing with an injury in the first place. He'll reportedly be reevaluated in "a week or so," but this doesn't bode well for Schmidt's fantasy prospects after he took the nascent franchise to arbitration with his award set at two years and $4.45 million. Last year, he compiled 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) over 60 games with the Capitals.

An arbiter awarded Schmidt a two-year, $4.45 million contract with the Golden Knights on Saturday, Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt was hoping to sign a one-year, $2.75 million deal and Las Vegas countered with a two-year, $1.9 million offer, so the arbiter evidently determined the player's ask was more reasonable than the team's proposal in this instance. Schmidt, who tallied 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 60 games with the Capitals last season, is expected to occupy a top-pairing role with his new club in 2017-18.

Schmidt's arbitration ruling will be made Saturday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

The former Capitals defenseman reportedly set his asking price at $2.75 million on a one-year deal. It's a bit strange to see a player who's recorded only 200 NHL games at the NHL level playing hardball with a brand new franchise, but Vegas is fittingly flush with cash -- it has $7.849 in current space space, according to CapFriendly -- so an arbitrator will make an official ruling with the two sides being $850,000 apart.