I’d love to get those two back. Another great target would be Alexandre Carrier from Nashville if they don’t re-sign him. Solid middle-pairing defensive RHD, I think he could be a good partner for Mukhamadullin. Only 28 to start next season so I’d be willing to give him five years.
Grier said today that we aren’t re-signing Barabanov. I see no reason to re-sign Zadina when we have a bunch of small offense-only wingers we need to test out. I’d rather let Gushchin have a chance to win a roster spot than just give it to Zadina.
Barabanov seems very gone, MG pretty much just said so. Also dont know why Barabanov would want to stay after this last year
Unlike the three Grier mentioned, Zadina is an RFA. He’s technically under Sharks control even without a contract. You wouldn’t just announce you aren’t going to qualify an RFA at the locker clean out interview, that’s completely different from three guys you never have to talk to again.
I knew that, I wasn’t thinking, your clarity is appreciated.
How is that team hitting the cap floor?
Overpay Zadina and Kunin - let's say $7 million combined AAV on 2-year deals - then find a way to spend ~$17 million on the final 6 forward spots. Maybe this is where the Goodrow cap dump comes in.
Just because we can overpay them doesn’t mean we should. You should be disciplined in your own internal cap structure even when you don’t need to. Spending $7M for two guys who scored 23 points in 72 games and 18 points in 77 games is just disgusting.
Kunin has a $3M QO plus deserves a little extra for his intangibles like leadership and being a day one loyalist to the Grier regime. Zadina should be made whole for the contract he terminated with Detroit, it's just the right thing to do. Then split like $20 million between 6 forwards and you're at the floor.
This is the last thing that should happen. This is the thinking that got Labanc his contract. Part of the business of pro sports contracts is taking risks, and proving your worth. There has to be consequences to those risks or you lose the incentive to perform.
Giving Kunin $3M is gross but I do expect it to happen. However, I don’t think the Sharks owe Zadina anything. He brings nothing to the table that would make me want him taking ice time that could be used to finally make a determination if Bordeleau/Gushchin/Cardwell/even Graf are worth keeping long-term. I don’t consider any of those players anything close to “core”, but those are the guys who we “owe” opportunities to. Not Zadina.
You think Athanasiou, Foligno and Dickinson would get the contracts they signed with Chicago anywhere else? This is part of the reality of being a rebuilding team post-teardown. Might as well overpay someone who deserves it like Zadina. It sends a positive message to any future UFAs too.
