Sean Maloughney: Kraken Expansion Draft - San Jose Sharks

This is certainly not going to be stacked like the Vegas draft.

Should the Sharks (and to some extent the Hawks/Pens/Caps) try to retool and become competitive with their current aging core (30+ million in AAV) or should they have a yard sale for futures and hope for an accelerated rebuild?

With the cap situation they have, neither Burns nor Jones should be protected. Neither will be taken by Seattle, so it's a fairly moot point, but if Seattle does want them for some crazy reason, San Jose shouldn't stand in the way of their getting claimed.

I'd protect Dahlen before True.

Protect maybe Meier and Hertl. Burns needs to go back to forward so there's a spot for Merkeley. No point even having him if Burns and EK are on RHD for the next century. Most of those protectables are taking up so much cap space for so long that the team can't make any moves at all. And they aren't winning as is. Hell, give Seattle pretty much anything to take one of Vlasic or Jones(all relevant movement clauses better be waived).

This Kraken iteration is looking mighty undersized especially in the Bottom 6. I know Zadorov is a beast but beyond that, some guys who play bigger than they are (HornQ, Bennett, Dumba) but overall, I am concerned about the balance...

And Sharks should sell big for Futures. Couture will net a big return especially if ya eat $1-1.5M Per, Same for Burns, Vlasic, if he has a decent bounce back could find a fool ready to be parted from his money and futures, same with EK. I’d even consider Timo and Hertl for the right package. It’s truly a no sacred cows kinda outlay in SJ.

I agree with that assessment...Dahlen's upside is higher than True's...I'd protect Simek over Burns too if I could...He is tougher, stays at home more and the Sharks could use the cap relief from someone who wont be putting up large numbers (except a minus) anytime soon