Close But No Cigar

Team: 2019-20 San Jose Sharks

Initial Creation Date: May 30, 2019

Published: May 31, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

After going all in the last few years and not quite getting the job done, the Sharks have some difficult decisions ahead as to when to begin a rebuild. 2019-2020 is not that season though as their team is still solid enough to compete for a division title if they bring a few of their key guys back, but a time will come in the next couple years where San Jose will have to overhaul their roster with an injection of youth and replenish their prospect pool. For next season, San Jose will focus on bringing back some of their key contributors and making some minor adjustments as they feel like injuries are the main reason they came up short this season.

RFA's
Meier - either bridged at 2 x about $3.75M, or long term at less than $6M. I think they go long on Meier and bridge Labanc.
Labanc - either bridged at 2-3 x about $3.333M, or long term at below $5M. I think they go long on Meier and bridge Labanc.
Ryan - re-signs a 1 x 850k contract hoping to bounce back after a down year.
Suomela - re-signs a 1 x 925k contract hoping to stick in the NHL lineup for the whole season. Will rotate in and out of games on the fourth line with Gambrell, and Radil.
Chartier - signs elsewhere as he is squeezed out by Suomela and Gambrell.
Gambrell - extends for 2 x $925k competing with Suomela, and Radil for a fourth line spot.

UFA's
Pavelski - signs a hometown discount but still retirement contract for 4 x $6.5M. Can stick around year-to-year like Thornton did after this deal.
Nyquist - can't afford to keep him around unless he takes a big discount. I think Vancouver pays him more to play LW alongside Pettersson & Boeser.
Karlsson - Basically sent his goodbye message on Twitter the other day. Saves a 2nd round pick from going out the door at least.
Thornton - Brought back as the #3C on a 1 year $3M.
Donskoi - Brought back as a #3RW for 3 x $2.75M
Heed - Karlsson leaving opens up a spot at RD. He signs a 1 x $1M to compete for the bottom pairing spot.
Haley - Enforcer role is continuing to go extinct. San Jose moves on from Haley and looks to bring in tough players who can actually play instead.

Miller - San Jose upgrades their backup spot by trading Dell and signing Miller who wants to stay in California and signs with San Jose for one year to chase a cup.

Trades
Melker Karlsson is on the block to free up some cap space and replenishing some draft selections if the right offer comes up. Otherwise I think they keep him as depth for next season and let him move on after his contract. Florida offers a fourth rounder, but for this return San Jose prefers to keep him to kill penalties and be a fore checking presence on their fourth line in a "go for it" year.
Dillon and Braun are also shopped for replenishing draft picks and cap space to use on a UFA defensive upgrade, though I think San Jose would be fine keeping them for next years run at the cup and letting them go as UFA's at the end of next season. Nobody is very interested in either of them at their cap hits only offering late round picks and San Jose keeps them instead.
Aaron Dell appears as though he could use a change of scenery type trade as he has regressed the last couple of years. Perhaps he could be moved to a team looking for a backup who thinks he will bounce back on their team. Again, it would not be the worst thing to keep him for next year's run and let him sign elsewhere next season. Montreal acquires him to back up Price and San Jose upgrades the backup role by signing Miller for one year as he chooses to chase a cup in northern California one year at a time.