Schmidt's agent is hopeful that Schmidt and the team can get a deal done prior to his scheduled arbitration hearing in early August, Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

The rearguard made $875,000 with the Capitals last season, recording three goals, 17 points and an impressive plus-22 rating in 60 games. Considering Schmidt's production came in a career-low 15:29 of ice time and would amount to 23 points over a full season, he's definitely due for a raise -- especially given his status as Vegas' de facto top defenseman. He was extended a qualifying offer prior to the expansion draft in June, but the offer came from Washington. Nonetheless, the two sides will have until Aug. 3 to come to terms on a new deal before Schmidt's pending arbitration hearing takes place.

Schmidt has filed for salary arbitration, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt was recently selected by Vegas in the 2017 NHL Expansion draft and was subsequently given a qualifying offer. However, instead of agreeing to the offer, he's filed for arbitration, which will give him a chance to argue for a more favorable contract. A third-party arbiter will hear his case at the end of July, although both Schmidt and the Golden Knights can continue to negotiate in the meantime, so there's still a chance they'll be able to avoid the hearing altogether.

Schmidt has been selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Expansion Draft , Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Add the Caps to the list of teams that tried to make a deal to save the player that they ended up losing. A mobile, puck-moving defenseman is in high regard around the NHL these days and that's exactly what Schmidt brings to the table. He figures to be worth a fantasy selection in deeper pools this coming season. Schmidt should get all the ice time he can handle for the expansion Golden Knights

Schmidt is not being protected from the expansion draft, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

After recording 17 points in 60 games at a bottom-four, blue-line position, many around Washington expected Schmidt to be protected, especially since Karl Alzner and Kevin Shattenkirk are headed to free agency. Besides Philip Grubauer, he's the most headlined option for Vegas to pick up. He could be protected by a deal between the Caps and the Golden Knights, but this would be difficult since Washington has given up so many draft picks already in previous trades. If Schmidt is picked up, there will be a lot of fresh faces on the Caps' blue line come fall.

Schmidt is expected to be a top-four defenseman with the Capitals in 2017-18, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Karl Alzner and Kevin Shattenkirk set to become UFA's, the path is clear for Schmidt to get a more prominent role on the Caps blueline, where he spent much of the season on the third pairing with Brooks Orpik before being relegated to a depth role following the acquisition of the aforementioned Shattenkirk at the trade deadline. A wild card in this plan is the potential that the 25-year-old Minnesotan could be enticing enough to the Vegas Golden Knights in the upcoming expansion draft to be added to their own roster. With an impressive playoff performance, the undrafted defender's prospects are certainly on the rise which should boost his fantasy value for 2017-18.

Schmidt scored a goal and had a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Oddly enough, Schmidt has goals in back-to-back contests, but they came nine games apart due to the Minnesotan's relegation to the press box following the arrival of Kevin Shattenkirk at the trade deadline. The 25-year-old could see more consistent ice time as long as John Carlson (lower body) is out of the lineup, but his fantasy value remains somewhat limited even with his recent scorer's touch. Those in fantasy playoffs should look for safer options.

Schmidt was a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game Monday against Dallas.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt has only played once since Kevin Shattenkirk was acquired Feb. 27, and it appears the undrafted free-agent acquisition is clearly the odd-man out. Additionally, with just 14 points through 54 games for the season, there isn't any reason to make Schmidt a fantasy priority at this point.

Schmidt recorded an assist and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old defenseman continues to add to what is amounting to a career-year with 14 points in 47 games despite managing just 15:25 of ice time. However, his lack of offensive opportunity limit his upside in all but the deepest of leagues.

Schmidt picked up an assist and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 8-7 OT loss to the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

The assist gives him a goal and five assists and a plus-10 rating in his last seven games -- not too shabby for a third-pairing defenseman who doesn't log much power-play time (Monday's 1:01 was the most time with the man-advantage he has logged all season). This is a pretty good hot streak for the Minnesotan so keep him in mind for deeper leagues and as a value play in daily formats.

Schmidt tallied his first goal of the season along with an assist and a plus-3 rating in Thursday's 5-0 win over Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

He still has just eight points in 31 games, and considering Schmidt's career high in goals is two -- not to mention his bottom-of-the-barrel ice time -- fantasy owners shouldn't be looking for him to carry this production forward.