The Ducks have put defenseman Mathieu Schneider on waivers, and we will know at noon Wednesday if he was picked up. On the face of it, Schneider might seem a good fit for a Lightning team whose top nine blue-liners averages 23.7 years old. Schneider, 39, had 12 goals and 39 points and was plus-22 in 65 games last season for Anaheim. But with a $55.86-million salary cap number and 17 forwards signed to one-way contracts, Tampa Bay cannot afford to pick up Schneider's $5.6-million salary.

If Schneider clears waivers and is picked up on re-entry waivers, the cap hit would be only $2.8-million as the claiming team and Ducks would split Schneider's salary. Maybe then the Lightning gets interested. But here is where it gets tricky. Article 13.2 of the collective bargaining agreement says players cannot be recalled until the "playing season waiver period," and that does not begin until 12 days before the start of the regular season. Now, let's connect some dots.

There have been all kinds of rumors the Kings want Schneider, and Los Angeles, with a $31.9-million cap number, needs to take on salary to get to the CBA-mandated $40.7-million salary floor. There also is the theory that Anaheim, out of respect for Schneider, would not allow him to sit without a team until Sept. 22 (12 days before the start of the regular season). If that is the case, it makes sense there is an agreement with a team to take Schneider on the way down. It is highly unlikely that agreement is with the Lightning, which, as last season's last-place team has first dibs on waiver claims. Is it with the Kings, who finished next to last and have the second claim? Makes sense. We'll see.