Confirmed with Link: Jake Walman to Edmonton for F Carl Berglund and Conditional 1st

[cheechoo]

For the Sharks someone had to take those minutes, and having Walman do it for another 80 games (until next deadline) seemed like a better option that paying Orlov $8.5Mx3. I wanted him to be flipped for a 1st at next years deadline, and hoped it would be a more mid team like LA or something. Was confident he'd get a 1st, but with an increasingly weaker team, maybe his value would slide. Perhaps wise to guarantee the first.

That being said, 32 year old Walman at $6.5-8M isn't a player the Sharks were going to be winning with on his next contract, and that's what keeping him was probably going to cost after B2B 50point seasons. I had kind of figured he wasn't going to be a long-term solution. Not convinced Byram or K'Andre Miller are either, but they are far younger (and therefore fit our actual competitive window), so they could be good targets.

Romanov (~$5M 2nd round offer sheet) and Gavrikov (Celebrini/Tofolli/Wennberg agent) are my top targets during the offseason. Very little assets to acquire either or both (maybe we do Ott+COL 2nds for Romanov).

We need somebody to eat minutes. Romanov/Muk/Ferraro and Gavrikov/Liljigren/Desharnis would suck at moving the puck, but Schaefer and Dickson could start to fix that the next year.

1. Gavrikov (30)
2. Schaefer (19)
3. Romanov (26)
4. Muk (23)
5. Dickinson (20)
6. Desharnis (29) or UFA replacement

PP1: Schaefer PP2: Dickinson
PK1: Romanov-Desharnis, PK2: Schaefer-Gavrikov



With Ekholm, Bouchard, Nurse, and Kulak, they don't have to expect too much. It'll be interesting how much good Walman they get.

Not as convinced with Romanov but Gavrikov is a stud. I consider him the prize FA this year at his position, even at his age. Would have zero qualms giving him a 7 year deal.

We'd be imbalanced between LHD and RHD, but adding Gavrikov and Schaefer both into the fold this upcoming summer would be a homerun for the outlook of the Sharks defense core.

Schaefer has some Mukh in him where he can play on either side anyways due to how rangy and dynamic he is.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

For the Sharks someone had to take those minutes, and having Walman do it for another 80 games (until next deadline) seemed like a better option that paying Orlov $8.5Mx3. I wanted him to be flipped for a 1st at next years deadline, and hoped it would be a more mid team like LA or something. Was confident he'd get a 1st, but with an increasingly weaker team, maybe his value would slide. Perhaps wise to guarantee the first.

That being said, 32 year old Walman at $6.5-8M isn't a player the Sharks were going to be winning with on his next contract, and that's what keeping him was probably going to cost after B2B 50point seasons. I had kind of figured he wasn't going to be a long-term solution. Not convinced Byram or K'Andre Miller are either, but they are far younger (and therefore fit our actual competitive window), so they could be good targets.

Romanov (~$5M 2nd round offer sheet) and Gavrikov (Celebrini/Tofolli/Wennberg agent) are my top targets during the offseason. Very little assets to acquire either or both (maybe we do Ott+COL 2nds for Romanov).

We need somebody to eat minutes. Romanov/Muk/Ferraro and Gavrikov/Liljigren/Desharnis would suck at moving the puck, but Schaefer and Dickson could start to fix that the next year.

1. Gavrikov (30)
2. Schaefer (19)
3. Romanov (26)
4. Muk (23)
5. Dickinson (20)
6. Desharnis (29) or UFA replacement

PP1: Schaefer PP2: Dickinson
PK1: Romanov-Desharnis, PK2: Schaefer-Gavrikov

I'm for getting top pairing minute-munchers but I'm not so sure about the depth areas. I think we can commit to guys that know how to play on the right side but left side guys should probably be kept to a short term. If we're slow-playing Dickinson and Schaefer with no intention of making them NHL'ers next season, I'd want Cagnoni to be given an opportunity to see what he's got and would likely improve a team that's lacking in puck-movers and a legitimate PP QB. And if he makes something of himself with that opportunity, we have a trade chip or someone that can move to the right side when Dickinson and Schaefer come in to share the puck management load.

 

[Sharksfan66]

I'm for getting top pairing minute-munchers but I'm not so sure about the depth areas. I think we can commit to guys that know how to play on the right side but left side guys should probably be kept to a short term. If we're slow-playing Dickinson and Schaefer with no intention of making them NHL'ers next season, I'd want Cagnoni to be given an opportunity to see what he's got and would likely improve a team that's lacking in puck-movers and a legitimate PP QB. And if he makes something of himself with that opportunity, we have a trade chip or someone that can move to the right side when Dickinson and Schaefer come in to share the puck management load.

With Walman gone, I thought we'd see Cagioni get the call-up (especially with the season he's having). I sure hope he gets a chance this season to show he has something. Seems safer than waiting until next year to see what he's got IMO.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

With Walman gone, I thought we'd see Cagioni get the call-up (especially with the season he's having). I sure hope he gets a chance this season to show he has something. Seems safer than waiting until next year to see what he's got IMO.

I think they want to give the Barracuda an opportunity for playoff experience but I'd still like for him to get a cup of coffee this season if they can fit it in.

 

[Sharksfan66]

I think they want to give the Barracuda an opportunity for playoff experience but I'd still like for him to get a cup of coffee this season if they can fit it in.

I'm totally supportive of Grier doing all he can to make sure the Cuda make it to the playoffs so the boys can get some experience, but isn't Schuldt their captain? Seems he would be at least as important to a playoff push as Cagnoni, no matter how great of a season Cagnoni is having.

I like rewarding guys like Poturalski & Schuldt with a few NHL games. We need to keep guys like this around. But I think it's time for Bordeleau & Cagnoni to get their turn. Especially Cagnoni. I don't know how you even begin to plan for next year until you see what you have in him at this level.