Follow me on Twitter: @BenShelley_20
Follow HockeyBuzz Sharks Twitter: @HB_Sharks


The San Jose Sharks placed forward Rudolfs Balcers on unconditional waivers today for the purpose of a buyout.

Mike Grier statement on Rudolfs Balcers: "We want to thank Rudy for his time with the Sharks organization. While these are difficult decisions to make, this move will create additional flexibility & provide us an opportunity to continue evolving the makeup of our player roster."

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) July 12, 2022

Balcers is still just 25 years old and this season, he scored 11 goals and 23 points in 61 games, a pace of 15 goals and 31 points per 82 games. He had one year remaining on his contract at a $1.55 million cap hit.

If Balcers isn’t claimed and is bought out, the Sharks will face a cap penalty of just $8,334 for 2022-23 but then a $308,334 cap penalty in 2023-24.

To me, this is a strange decision for the Sharks. Balcers didn’t make a huge impact but still, he was young and only had one year left at a low cap hit. The $1.5 million the Sharks save isn’t enough to make much else happen and just seems unnecessary. They create a bit more space now but will be stuck with an avoidable cap penalty in the 2023-24 season.



OTHER ARTICLES FROM JULY


Sharks fire Bob Boughner and assistants
Sharks hire Mike Grier as General Manager
Sharks trade 11th overall pick to Coyotes, draft Filip Bystedt 27th overall
Sharks acquire Luke Kunin from Predators
Recapping the San Jose Sharks’ nine selections at the 2022 NHL Draft
Sharks make Hockey Operations changes, Dahlen and Meloche not qualified

Join the Discussion: » 0 Comments » Post New Comment

» Sharks trade Tomas Hertl to Vegas, send Kaapo Kahkonen to Devils

» Sharks trade Anthony Duclair to Lightning

» Sharks’ trade candidates unlikely to bring back big returns

» Sharks' brief win streak ends in shutout loss to Golden Knights

» Sharks take down Oilers in battle of NHL’s worst