My goal/hope for the deadline is to move out quite a few players and to get a head start on next season. Picks are great, and the Sharks are certainly in need of more them. My concern is that the team is still fairly incompetent in their drafting ability. And since it sounds like teams are more guarded on moving picks, I’d target prospects and/or younger players with pedigree that haven’t worked out yet, I.E. “post hype” guys.
Dillon- a higher pick package (2nd & 3rd/4th) OR a blue chip forward prospect.
Melker- a mid-round pick OR “post hype” younger forward.
Dell- an earlier-mid round pick.
Sorensen- a late pick OR “post hype” younger forward.
Heed- a late conditional pick.
Gambrell- a swap for another younger, struggling player with some pedigree.
Thornton- a mid round pick, possibly with a condition.
Marleau- a mid round pick, possibly with a condition.
Labanc- a 2020 1st round pick OR a younger RFA goalie with starter potential.
Two deals I’d love to see that we’ve discussed and speculated around here.
-Backes and a 2020 1st for cap dump purposes and maybe a rental forward Melker/Sorensen.
-Burns (@$1m retained) to Dallas for a 2020 1st, Dellandrea, Cogliano, and Polak.
Burns is the one “core” player that I could see DW moving at the deadline. I think he still has value based on his contract, marketability, and league reputation. I could see Timo being moved, too, but given his lack of production this year and looming QO, I think he stays around to try and bounce back next year.