I think as a basis for a deal, it is acceptable. I simply think that regardless of whether we're trying to rebuild or trying to contend, this is the type of deal the Sharks need to make before next season starts. Rebuilding version of the Sharks needs to move at least one defenseman, especially one providing no value in any sort of way, and also move a winger where the team has an abundance of valuable players.
Not with this trade alone but it opens up valuable cap space to address glaring roster issues. The Sharks need a legitimate 3C, which could be Bordeleau, but also one that makes it easier to shift Couture to the wing. I get that this isn't a typical rebuild maneuver but I don't believe the team needs a full-on rebuild. Even if it did, you can't wait to open up cap space. If they land an elite player in the 2022 draft, you have a three year window from there to truly get the most out of that deal. You can't wait to deal with bad contracts until then. You have to make deals where you can to prepare for that potential. I do understand wanting to trade Meier for a full value futures based package. I just don't think this team is that far off but it does take a few moves to get there.
Why wouldn't you move Vlasic alone for that? Tatar gets flipped at the deadline. Chiarot is off the books after next season if he isn't chosen in the expansion draft. Byron has two years after this and is a substantially better buyout option than Vlasic. Why would you hang on to Vlasic when he's a much worse contract and a more negative overall player? That doesn't make any sense. The point isn't to get any value back. It's to gain needed flexibility by using the chips we have as an organizational strength. If this team wants to rebuild after such a deal, they open more space for themselves to make a deal like this but for something that's more of a fit or need than what they're moving out. Meier is the realistic sweetener needed to get a team to take on an NMC player before the expansion draft especially someone as bad as Vlasic with that bad of a contract. We either pay to get rid of it through trade or through a buyout and a 10 year payout seems like the worse of these two options.