I get the interest from Vancouver's end. He'd be a great fit in rounding out the Top-6, and the sort of player who could still produce well enough and thrive in a role where he might not get the most choice prime cut offensive icetime, and top-unit Powerplay opportunities. Same idea as Hyman there, presumably...as guys who can produce at even strength and contribute elsewhere on special teams like the PK and defensive zone starts, etc.
I even like the player, specifically. He's fun to watch when he's healthy and on his game. Stylistically, would seem like someone who should mesh great with Horvat (who to my eye, is a very similar player to Schenn, whom Schwartz has had success with).
Buuuuuuuuttttttt...These sort of UFA contracts for ~29/30 year old Forwards who "work hard", scare the bejeepers out of me. Unless they can somehow keep the term reasonably short...it's really concerning, what you're going to be paying for in years 3, 4+ of whatever these deals end up realistically being. These aren't players you want on significant "Top-6 Money" contracts beyond say, ~32/33 years of age. There are just too few guys of that profile who are still worth it into that age range.
Seattle would be interesting, especially if they took Tarasenko in the expansion draft and kept him. Plug Johansen/Duchene in the middle out of Nashville, and you've basically stolen an approximation of the Blues top line from a Cup winner not too long ago (albeit an older, lesser version). Would be kinda funny though.
Colorado's interest, i would presume hinges on what happens with Landeskog. If Landeskog does in fact walk...they're obviously going to have a significant hole to fill. Maybe they can stoploss some of that for half the price and less term, by bringing in Schwartz. Would make sense. But could make it tough for them to really be competitive in a rapid-fire bidding situation, if they're still halfway down one avenue chasing Landeskog instead.
Los Angeles seem to be rumored in on just about anyone of note. Everything there seems to indicate they're going to be aggressive in trying to turn things around quickly there, including the UFA market. So that makes sense, though again...somewhat scattershot interest all over the map, could make it tougher to land any one particular guy. If he's not necessarily their absolute "first priority" when the bidding war opens, and they're more focused on seeing what shakes out with other options first.
