Sharksrule04
Registered User
I don't think its quite the end of the world if he is not back. Honestly, it gives us options to be aggressive in FA and try to land one of Panarin or Duchene. Assuming we re-sign our RFA's, we are ok. If we get one of Panarin/Duchene, even better.
If EK65 walks, the main problem with the team would not be that he left but still the coaching and goal-tending. If we fix those two going into next season, we are a playoff team again. In my ideal scenario Chekhovich and Ferraro both earn their roster spots.
Ferraro isn't NHL ready yet IMO. Haven't seen Chekhovich enough but he looked good last night. My main thing is that we gave up a lot for only 50 games of Karlsson. I still make that trade in Hindsight but it hurts to give up a prospect like Norris who did improve a lot this year before getting injured and a first round pick on top of that. To be honest Karlsson was really only himself for maybe 15-20 of those games too. I could live with not having a first round pick for 3 years when you have Karlsson locked up long term but losing him would make that sting a bit more. Hopefully DW would be able to sign a Duchene or Panarin but I'm not holding my breath. Top stars still seem hesitant to sign here as FA's. I think this is going to be an interesting off-season for the Sharks regardless of how the rest of this playoffs shapes up.