Steve Palumbo: Sharks place Paul Martin on unconditional waivers; What's next?

Obviously JT...

What's actually next for their defense though? Is Tim Heed going to get some playing time next year?

Unfortunately no other team bit on a trade for Martin who has been showcased for quite sometime. Obviously NHL teams knew that and someone will take a flyer on a seasoned vet for little $$. Look more and more like Taveras will go back to the Island or perhaps Toronto even though he would be perfect in San Jose and would love it here. Terrific team, culture and place to live and would be loved but not under huge pressure. NY and Toronto are both unforgiving of lack of production almost on a game to game basis. I don’t Know if the Sharks have an in with any current player and or group of players that can recruit Tavares like the Warriors did with Durant but San Jose is a terrific destination for Taveras in so many ways.
If he goes back to the Island or Anywahere else, Wilson has $$ toad a piece or 2 that can help tremendously and not requiring 8 Years at $11 million per year.
Extend Hertl and Tierney at reasonable rates for 3 years each and bring in a couple pieces. If Toronto lands Taveras, James VR should be available and even though Vegas paid a big $ for Neal, not a bad couple guys to look at to add.
Trust the Sharks youth for once and don’t dump good Young talent for 32 year old plus one year players.

Anyone else surprised the Sharks didn't qualify Demelo? I liked him...thought he played really well for the most part, granted, I thought Heed would provide a more dynamic element to that 3rd pairing. Still you'd think the Sharks could have gotten something for Demelo.