Seems fair. LA is one point out of a playoff spot with Wakler and Doughty out. Schultz has filled in as 1RD in Pittsburgh and Washington. Can play either special team. Can eat some minutes. Isn't getting much ice time behind Carlson right now, but that's normal. What's up with Andersson?

Does LA take this as-is, or do they expect their injured guys back soon enough that they need to add a player for a late pick to balance the cap?

Just signing Demers seems ideal

Andersson still young

Likely entering his prime shortly

Leafs fans playing some defense. What if WSH flips Andersson to Toronto for a 3rd?

You can even dump Holl or Dermott into that.

(crickets)

LA can sign Demers, too, but without training camp, he'll take a while to adjust, and his career high is 34 points. Schultz has a 51 point season and was on pace for 48 last year. LA could throw in Athanasiou and still be ahead. Or Walker. I'm assuming WSH only takes this if they have a better use for the cap space. If we're talking about a replacement for Doughty, I think Schultz is a good fit, and would cost a lot less than Dahlin.

The trade price for Burns might be similar to this, but there's the contract, to worry about, if Doughty will eventually be back. Would SJ trade Burns to a local rival? On that contract? Probably.

I feel like you may be undervaluing Schultz here. While I wouldn't necessarily be against trading Schultz, he hasn't been as bad as you say this year. While he struggled last year, he has been a decent contributor on the 2PP line and has actually played quite well with TVR. The Capitals also can instead send down players in order to be below the Cap limit. If the Caps make a move, I would expect it to just be a dump of Kempny. Andersson also probably won't get the ice time he wants.

Undervalued here. Schultz is a top 4 RHD with a pretty decent salary. He can lead the point for any PP and moves the puck well. Yes, he has his blunders, but trading him for a depth forward (although young) is not something the Caps would / should do.

If Dillon went for two 2nd round picks, Schultz would likely go for the same.

Also, Caps would just send down players to get under the cap.