What the Sharks have to do is easy in theory, but nearly impossible in practice.
The Sharks pay Karlsson, Burns, and Vlasic a combined $26.5 mil each year. Having half your defense core locked up at that price and finishing 29th in Goals Against is absolutely inexcusable, even if the goaltending is the true problem.
With that said, they will have to bite the bullet and do whatever they can to trade Karlsson, which will probably be for a net loss. Even if it saves only a couple million dollars, it will help. Cap space and roster flexibility is all they should be looking for in that deal. Dont worry about "winning the deal" player-wise.
They can trade Burns of Vlasic instead, but teams would hate Burns' age/cap hit combo and on the Sharks side, Burns' deal expires 2 years sooner than Karlsson's. as for Vlasic, he has absolutely no trade value.
Next see what teams are willing to trade for Kevin Labanc, then take whatever the best deal is. Labanc is a good player, but with how top heavy the Sharks cap structure is, his salary will need to be better distributed.
After that, look around for trade partners for Evander Kane. Kane has been great in his time with the Sharks, but if they plan to rebuild or retool, he may be beyond his usefulness by that point. Around next trade deadline see what teams will offer for him and think long and hard about dealing him.
See what Hertl is looking to get paid, anything over $7.5 mil ask around about possibly trading him as well. I love Hertl, but the Sharks have enough guys 30+ years old making $7+ mil long term. With that said, centers are much harder to come by than wingers, so if the Sharks find a Kane trade they really like that frees up some money, maybe they re-sign Hertl.
Also, keep Timo Meier. the guy is only 25 years old and has 3 20+ goal years and a 66 point season under his belt. He still has 2 years on his contract, if the final year comes and you feel that 66 point year was his peak or he wants too much money on a new deal, trade him then.
Then stop bringing in old guys for nostalgia. If Patrick Marleau does not want to retire for whatever reason, let some other team continue his career. Start making space for prospects to fight for as well as sign youngish reclamation projects to fill out the roster (guys like Carter Verhaege, Jimmy Vesey, etc). Preferably guys that are fast and have shown flashes of offense like Athanasiou or Hinostroza. Build up more team quickness and rather than calling up guys like Gabriel or Viel to fight, bring in depth guys who can produce.
Lastly, hire a Sports Psychologist to work with Martin Jones specifically. Brayden Holtby used one back in his Washington Capital days and he won a Vezina trophy. I don't know if Holtby still uses one, but all the Sharks need is one competent to good season from Jones. IF a psychologist can help Jones play well, trade him to the first sucker GM that is desperate for goaltending help.
The Sharks pay Karlsson, Burns, and Vlasic a combined $26.5 mil each year. Having half your defense core locked up at that price and finishing 29th in Goals Against is absolutely inexcusable, even if the goaltending is the true problem.
With that said, they will have to bite the bullet and do whatever they can to trade Karlsson, which will probably be for a net loss. Even if it saves only a couple million dollars, it will help. Cap space and roster flexibility is all they should be looking for in that deal. Dont worry about "winning the deal" player-wise.
They can trade Burns of Vlasic instead, but teams would hate Burns' age/cap hit combo and on the Sharks side, Burns' deal expires 2 years sooner than Karlsson's. as for Vlasic, he has absolutely no trade value.
Next see what teams are willing to trade for Kevin Labanc, then take whatever the best deal is. Labanc is a good player, but with how top heavy the Sharks cap structure is, his salary will need to be better distributed.
After that, look around for trade partners for Evander Kane. Kane has been great in his time with the Sharks, but if they plan to rebuild or retool, he may be beyond his usefulness by that point. Around next trade deadline see what teams will offer for him and think long and hard about dealing him.
See what Hertl is looking to get paid, anything over $7.5 mil ask around about possibly trading him as well. I love Hertl, but the Sharks have enough guys 30+ years old making $7+ mil long term. With that said, centers are much harder to come by than wingers, so if the Sharks find a Kane trade they really like that frees up some money, maybe they re-sign Hertl.
Also, keep Timo Meier. the guy is only 25 years old and has 3 20+ goal years and a 66 point season under his belt. He still has 2 years on his contract, if the final year comes and you feel that 66 point year was his peak or he wants too much money on a new deal, trade him then.
Then stop bringing in old guys for nostalgia. If Patrick Marleau does not want to retire for whatever reason, let some other team continue his career. Start making space for prospects to fight for as well as sign youngish reclamation projects to fill out the roster (guys like Carter Verhaege, Jimmy Vesey, etc). Preferably guys that are fast and have shown flashes of offense like Athanasiou or Hinostroza. Build up more team quickness and rather than calling up guys like Gabriel or Viel to fight, bring in depth guys who can produce.
Lastly, hire a Sports Psychologist to work with Martin Jones specifically. Brayden Holtby used one back in his Washington Capital days and he won a Vezina trophy. I don't know if Holtby still uses one, but all the Sharks need is one competent to good season from Jones. IF a psychologist can help Jones play well, trade him to the first sucker GM that is desperate for goaltending help.
