Just having began a full scale tear down, this team is bad. Real bad. To compound this, having used all three retention spots completely handcuffs what Grier could possibly do. So, the plan is to take a page from the Leafs rebuild handbook - sign 1 year cheap deals in hopes of being to flip them for assets at the deadline. Targets are more reclamation projects (have to be). One-year "prove it deals".
Signings:
Kubalik: a 40 point winger as a Hawk, has been a trainwreck as a Sen.... so much so that finding a 7 figure deal may prove difficult. Sharks take the chance. If he returns to form, $1.5 million for that production is something teams will look for at the TDL.
Beauvillier: much like Kubalik, a terrible season amongst 3 teams, but a stronger track record to suggest he is a secondary scorer. Definitely taking a pay cut. If he comes back to form, another movable contract for assets.
Olofsson: there is game here, but fell down the depth charts in Buffalo. One dimensional goal scorer. Cannot see him getting north of $2.5 million with a contender. With ice time, 20 is more than achievable..... again, a movable contract for
Zadina: still young, so why not? The Sharks lack options. Bridge deal that when it is done I doubt will be back unless something drastic happens to his game.
Jost: a solid enough 4th line player struggling to stay in the NHL. Should see an opportunity with the Sharks. The one signing that is made to add cap, not anticipating this turning into anything other then replacing Sturm when he is dealt.
Side Notes:
1. I assume Couture will be healthy to start the year.
2. There is a very strong argument to have Makhamadulin on this squad. They are going to loose, he is waiver exempt. No reason to rush him.
3. Would have bought out Vlasic, but need the money for cap purposes.
4. Cap basement looks to be around $64 million. Cannot find the exact number. In this scenario, it is close enough that of a little short, add $100K to some FA signings. That isn't going to change my direction here or a possible TDL return if it pans out.
5. My window here is 2 years, at which time Weisblett Edstrom, Bystedt and Smith should all hit the lineup. That is not including the strong possibility of Celebrini.
6. Could try and weaponize cap space, but steered away from this as all the retention spots are used. Any money taken on is playing..... and of the 3 contracts I saw; NTCs are involved. I doubt they get waived for San Jose.
Overall: absolutely terrible, but spending money to try to compete right now is a fools errand. Hope here is that Kubalik, Olofsson and Beauvillier can land some mid round picks to round out the 2025 and 2026 draft board.
What is clearis that the Panthers need to shave some money, and Knight seems to be the path of least resistance. Extremely hard to gauge his value after his issues; but has looked very good in the AHL putting himself and his game back together. Coming into what is clearly a rebuild situation may mitigate the pressure.
As I said, it is very hard to gauge what Knight would garner on the market. Some may see this as a risk. Others may see a salary dump. Others may say not enough.
Blackwood has been pretty good for the Sharks, but they also need to make basement in this scenario. Flipping him for the more expensive Knight is necessary.
Yes, Sharks take on a risk. But they are also a team in a position to take on that risk.
Prolly what the sharks would do but i dont really see them moving blackwood without getting a good/great asset back which i dont think Knight is at this point but he could be again in the future. I think, in an ideal world, this would be the worst season in the sharks rebuild, with the goal next year being simply to compete in games more often. Bords wont be playing center anymore, he’s for sure a winger in the eyes of the organization. Similarly, putting Muk on the Cuda isnt exactly protecting him from losing cuz they suck too.
Prolly what the sharks would do but i dont really see them moving blackwood without getting a good/great asset back which i dont think Knight is at this point but he could be again in the future. I think, in an ideal world, this would be the worst season in the sharks rebuild, with the goal next year being simply to compete in games more often. Bords wont be playing center anymore, he’s for sure a winger in the eyes of the organization. Similarly, putting Muk on the Cuda isnt exactly protecting him from losing cuz they suck too.
Honestly rather keep Blackwood. The move is simply money related. And if Blackwwod repeats his season in 24-25, I think there will be suitors. You're point is valid..... but gotta make basement, and signing a BS contract to make that happen may not make sense either.
Bordeleau playing C is more a short term thing here. There just isn't anything in the UFA market worth signing that could shift him..... unless Sturm plays 3C - and if you are going to be bad, be bad lol.
It is a waiting game in San Jose. They have some great prospects. The real challenge is not to rush them.
I would try rehard to trade G. Smith, Burroughs, Benning, and Rutta. I would want any picks that you can get for them. That is more roster spots to sign turn arounds or take a UFA dump. Get the pick with the dump and you might get luck and flip the player for another pick.
I would also like to explore what the leafs would take for Robertson. He needs a change and he can’t be waived next year. I just don’t see them able to keep him on the nhl roster and he won’t clear waivers.
I would also like to explore what the leafs would take for Robertson. He needs a change and he can’t be waived next year. I just don’t see them able to keep him on the nhl roster and he won’t clear waivers.
In the past I have said Robertson for Burroughs.....
The cap hit, term amd what he brings fut the Leafs.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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