Ben Shelley: Sharks drop final three games to end season

Sharks gotta move on from their current defense somehow to recoup some cap.
It's wild that they have nearly 30 million locked up in 3 players.

Sharks gotta move on from their current defense somehow to recoup some cap.
It's wild that they have nearly 30 million locked up in 3 players.
- SRam19

I cannot agree with you more. When Karlson was signed i felt it was a mistep to have him and keep both Burns and Pickles. Too much tied up in these 3 players and at the time trading any of them would have netted good returns for the Sharks future.

There is no feasible way to move any of the 4 contracts without negatively impacting the team for years to come. Buying out Vlasic gives you deap cap space of $6mm next year, $8mm in Year 3 and $7mm+ in Year 4 when you combine with Jones. Sending draft picks along as an enticement takes away future growth potential for years to come plus the player you get back may not be as good.
The most prudent move woiuld be to move Burns back to Powere Forward, his natural position and where his muscle memory is and have that fill the spot on the Top 6 vacated by Kane. Go back to watch the Sharks Classic games shown during the pandemic lockdown and you'll see how dominant he was at that position along with a rookie Hertl. That allows you to build the D back to a better corp group.
I wouldn't define this as a major trade but trading Lebanc for a pair of 2nds would significantly improve the team and it's future. It gets rid of his $4.75mm cap hit, allows for the re-signing of Barabanov, a bridge deal for Ferraro to expire when Burns contract expires, and to keep Meier in the fold as well