Because Schmidt has shown top-4 ability and is only 24 years old?
He's been miles better than Orlov this season, IMO, and has proven a heck of a lot more than Bowey.
I am purely focused on this year and next year, as it seems that is is current window with this team. We really should target 4 young d-men to be in our top 4. We need some vets, and once Orpik is relagated to third pair, we will have 5 young dmen once Bowey is ready. Maybe as soon as next year? Certainly by 2017, when we will lose a few FA's from the roster. So it's either Orlov or Schmidt that can help us to get better, now. I personally like Orlov better as I think he has a higher ceiling, and can get to that top 4 level faster than Schmidt. This year even? Next year for sure?
Again, I'd like to see a short term upgrade from Orlov or Schmidt. Coupling it with a Laich package, that would get us the better bottom 6 forward and the better bottom pair (or middle pair if Orpik as already started his slow down). Perhaps it's Orlov then to get traded?
Alzner -Niskanen
Traded D - Carlson
Orpik - Orlov/Schmidt
If we add a nice future piece (Vrana, Voracek, Carrick, etc) then we should be able to get a good middle pair Dman and bottom 6 C/F in return.