We're reaching the point in training camp where cuts are made and some roster reshaping starts to occur. Mirtle notes that the San Jose Sharks are holding Kyle McLaren and his $2.5 million cap hit out of the lineup, seeking to trade him.

(On a somewhat related note: I saw a kid wearing a Kyle McLaren jersey at a restaurant in San Francisco earlier this year. It was one of those moments where you're not sure if it would be totally rude to walk over and ask, "Kyle McLaren? Seriously? What, were they sold out of Marc-Edouard Vlasic sweaters?" So I didn't.)

The Los Angeles Kings and the Atlanta Thrashers would appear to be the main suitors for McLaren; then again, both teams have been mentioned as possible destinations for Mathieu Schneider. One wonders if the availability of one has an effect on the status of the other.

The Kings have been coy, but Kevin Allen of USA Today tosses some gas on the Matty-to-the-Thrash fire today:

Clearly Schneider is the best option to improve the team defensively. Otherwise, the Thrashers would have to consider signing free agent Marek Malik, who could cost $2.5 million.

There might be other trade options, such as Florida's Karlis Skrastins or Pittsburgh's Darryl Sydor. But the Penguins have injury issues on defense, and they could end up keeping Sydor. Also Sydor makes $2.5 million and Skrastins earns $2.4 million. Paying an extra $1.5 million to land offensive-minded Schneider suddenly seems like a bargain.

Of course the Thrashers would have to persuade Burke to probably take Ken Klee ($1.25 million) and another $500,000 player to make it work.

Ken Klee wouldn't be the "multi-player deal" Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke seems to be working on to rectify his team's salary cap situation in order for Teemu Selanne to get some Geico during training camp.

One late potential location for Schneider is St. Louis, according to The Fourth Period.

Here's something about Schneider I think we can all agree on: The notion that he, or any other high-priced veteran, "deserves to be dealt to Cup contender" in a capped culture is asinine. He chose to sign with the Ducks in July 2007 when people were still talking about Scott Niedermayer's "retirement" as temporary.

He rolled the dice, and Brian Burke owes him a trade to the Red Wings as an apology? Please.

Related: Rumors, scuttlebutt, innuendo