I don't see the floor as a real issue. The number to spend right now is about 20 mil. If we bought out Goodrow and Vlasic, that number is around 25 mil. We're in the market for at least one middle six caliber forward which is around 4-6 mil, a top four RHD which is also around 4-6 mil, and a 1B caliber goalie to play with Askarov which is typically in that 4-6 mil range too. Those are minimum adds that are likely totaling 15 mil of that 25 mil. If we keep Kovalenko and Mukhamadullin on new contracts for next year, it's probably 1.5 mil each. That's another 3 mil. Is it really going to be that hard for the Sharks to sign or trade for another 7 million to reach the floor? Especially when even after we could still stand to grab another top-nine caliber forward so that we're not expecting a rookie to step into a spot and let them develop on the Barracuda and another top four RHD so that we're not asking Liljegren or Desharnais to play in the top four? I think we'll be alright.
It makes plenty of sense to buy out anyone that isn't expiring this season that isn't anything better than replacement level. There are numerous options to improve the depth areas of the lineup to try and do better next season.
You can improve the depth of the lineup without buying anyone out. Those things have nothing to do with each other. We're nowhere near the cap ceiling.
I think it’s going to be harder to get those three FAs that you mention. This team is absolute dog shit. Toffoli was a weird situation last year since he wanted to be in the Bay Area for his family. Wennberg we had to overpay by a few million in a year when no one had cap space. Everyone has cap space now. Would a player prefer to go to a playoff team for 4M or the worst team in the NHL for 6M? Like even if you up that to 8M instead of 6 you probably pick the playoff team.
You could but it doesn't mean you can't buy them out as part of the process. The cap ceiling is irrelevant to the buyout conversation.
I doubt that. Us having more cap space like everyone else means we can afford to overpay that much more to bring them in if it comes down to that. And for the Sharks, all it really takes is another two or three guys willing to come in. I think everyone seeing how Macklin performed only upped the chances that we'll get someone that fits the team and the pay structure. The team will easily be able to make the floor but this concern echoes some of the rationalization used when Goodrow was claimed. Lo and behold, his contract was not needed to reach the floor. Not even close.
We literally bought out Knyzhov this past offseason for no other reason but he couldn't hang anymore after his injury. The team doesn't need a salary justification to buy out any player that isn't NHL caliber anymore. They don't need a salary justification to buy out Goodrow or Vlasic. Both of them are very clearly not NHL caliber players anymore and the team doesn't need them anymore. And the A stuff doesn't mean a whole lot to me when they traded a couple of them for draft picks. I don't think having an A for one season here has Goodrow on some pedestal that he can't be sent packing when we've already sent others at that level packing too.
Can you give some names instead of vague “these forwards” because you’re looking at guys like Pius Suter with that money which is an improvement but does not make our team any better.
There are plenty of middle six caliber forwards set to hit the market. Matt Duchene makes a lot of sense as someone we can overpay on a short deal. Ryan Donato is also one that could be overpaid on a short deal given his track record. Jack Roslovic and Jonathan Drouin would also be options to throw money at. It's going to depend on what we're trying to make happen for next season. Is Smith going to be attached to Macklin's hip? Will Toffoli? There's plenty of different ways to go and Grier is going to have to do some spending regardless. Even if no buyouts happen, we're talking about 20 mil to spend. It has to happen regardless. I just don't think finding an extra five mil to spend is all that difficult to do and really the only factor in keeping Goodrow and Vlasic is that because they're not NHL players anymore.
I think Matt would be a terrific addition. I think Donato re-signs in Chicago or they would have traded him at the deadline. Not interested in Drouin.
I don't think anyone is going to be a perfect solution. I just think the Sharks have enough out there available to them one way or another to spend what they need to whether they buy guys out or not.
So a guy that’s going to cost 8-10M and a bunch of one dimensional guys that Grier just spent an offseason getting rid of
And he’s worth it. Especially if he’s not looking for term. Give Matt 2-3 years at 8.5 or so. Basically it’s Logan’s Money if we actually need it. He would be the perfect 2C for us for the time being.
It’s really dependent on when Grier is ready to move onto phase 2 of his plan.
Yeah let's sign a 34 year old locker room cancer coming off a season where he's shooting 20% to a 3 year contract at the biggest cap hit on the team. No way this could backfire. I definitely want to be paying 37 year old Matt Duchene 8.5 million dollars when Celebrini, Smith and Askarov are on their big boy contracts.
I agree but I would also assume a team like WPG, VAN, DAL, TOR (if JT leaves), CAR, MIN all offer similar money or at least semi comparable money and all those teams are much closer to the playoffs than us.
Pretty sure guys who get nominated by their team for the Masterson aren’t lockeroom cancers.
I think this is a bit too far. Duchene is fantastic and if we can get him at a semi realistic contract you do it but I just don’t see him picking us over other teams.
Let him go fight for the playoffs then play meaningless games.
Couture yeeted all his sharks pics and unfollowed the team on IG
Pretty sure guys don't get bought out of huge contracts after putting up a 40+ goal season unless there's something going on under the hood.
