Agent hopeful Schmidt can get deal done
With Thursday’s arbitration date looming, the agent for Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt remains optimistic a deal can get done before the scheduled hearing.
Matt Keator of Olympic Sports Management, who represents the restricted free agent, said Monday he hoped to talk to Knights general manager George Mcphee and close whatever gap remains in the negotiations and avoid having to go in front of an arbiter.
“We’re in the same range,” Keator said. “It’s just a matter of talking and getting a deal done that’s fair to both sides.”
Mcphee, who is attending the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan, said through a team spokesman that things are status quo in the process and that the team will make an announcement when and if a deal gets done prior to Thursday.
Schmidt, 26, earned $875,000 last season as a member of the Washington Capitals. He played in 60 games, scored three goals and had 14 assists. He also had a goal and three assists in 11 playoff games. He was left unprotected in the NHL Expansion Draft and was selected by the Golden Knights as Washington’s pick. The Capitals had made
Schmidt a qualifying offer prior to being selected by the Knights.
Keator said there was still time to avoid Thursday’s arbitration hearing in Toronto.
“I’m sure we’ll talk sometime this week,” he said. “I talked to George last week and there’s no rush. There’s still time.”
Five national TV games
The Golden Knights will get some national television exposure in their inaugural season.
NBC announced its NHL television schedule Monday and the Knights will be featured five times, all on the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). Included is the team’s Oct. 10 home opener at T-mobile Arena against the Arizona Coyotes.
The other four dates are Dec. 28 at Los Angeles, Feb. 2 at Minnesota, Feb. 27 against the Kings at T-mobile and March 22 at San Jose.
The Knights are not scheduled to appear on the flagship NBC.
Parking policies, rates
The team announced Monday that
prepaid parking is now on sale for full season ticket-holders for all 44 games for as low as $8 per game if purchased by Aug. 20 with a maximum of two passes per account.
Prepaid parking for $8 will be accepted at the garages at MGM Grand and Excalibur. It will cost $10 to park at New York-new York and Aria. Partial season ticket-holders can purchase parking passes beginning Aug. 7.
Prepaid parking will also be sold to non-season ticket-holders at a date to be announced. Cost will be $13 and must be purchased online only at lasvegasparkmobile.com. Day-of-game parking will be available at the MGM Grand and Excalibur garages for $20.
For those not wanting to drive, the Regional Transportation Commission will provide express bus service to home games, stopping at the Northwest corner of the Excalibur garage. Locations, times and fares will be announced at a later date. There will also be an Uber location adjacent to the RTC bus stop for those looking to ride-share to games.
Contact Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.