People don't seem to understand that not every contract is going to be team friendly. That's just the reality of the business. Erik Karlsson is a game changing talent and one that can push the team over the top. He's 29 years old, so he's still got a good handful of those Hall of Fame worthy seasons left in him. And to ensure that they got this once in a generation player over the duration of their Cup window, this was the contract necessary.

Desperate attempt to keep the window open for a couple more years. But the Sharks will regret this within 4 seasons.

I'm loving it. The Sharks forward corps will be decimated. What happens if the cap comes in at $81.5M? They're screwed. As I said, I'm loving it!

They'll pay for it next season if he's not 100%!

For Sure Could be even Two guys that Go

Bad deal for A) a guy who can't stay healthy. B) a team who wants to compete year in and year out. With 26 mil tied up in 3 defensemen and alnost 50 tied up between 3 defensemen, 2 forwards, and one goalie, it's hard to get good depth with those numbers. One of the main reasons why the Blues beat them is because of the depth of the 3rd and 4th lines. Plus, with the almost inevitable lockout looming, the cap will shrink again and then SJ is forced to get rid of people. I'm guessing each team will get two more compliance buyouts

I'd give him a bridge deal...there's no other way to go pass that. Something like 6x2 or 6,5x3.

That is impossible. Pavelski and Meier alone will take 15M.

Someone has to be moved

Sharks are "win now" mode, for that this is a good contract, the deal in itself isn't bad, if anything i think the NMC will cause them the most grief. it's front loaded so would be an easier contract to trade on the tail end but that NMC..... if this doesn't pan out for whatever reason, injury, performance anything SJS is stuck with the contract for 8 years

Karlsson doesnt have a huge history of injuries. This year was the first time he missed more than 10 games since the matt cooke incident...

His injurys are blown out of proportion

They will have 2 two-time norris trophy winners by the start of next season and still suck...

Even If you do that, you would only have 6M for Pavelski, Thornton, Labanc, +

if Jumbo Joe doesn't retire, Sharks are in big big cap trouble, crap move

I was the only one saying he might re-sign. I was kinda 50/50.

Indeed. If other moves aren't done (M.Karlsson, Braun moved etc.), Pavelski and Thornton will be walking.

They have been in win-now mode for decades. GM simply had to make it happen because otherwise he would have looked stupid for giving up too much for 1 year rental. (but he still looks stupid for this contract).

and another 5.75 in Jones for the next 5 years too...

The term isn't a shock either. Everyone he was going to get max term, regardless of it was 7 or 8 years, and that the contract was going to be huge and likely not team-friendly.

Players have more power in negotiations than they are given credit for. I'm sure Doug Wilson would have liked a 5 year deal with lower AAV but there's no way EK would accept that.

Vlasic/Burns/Karlsson is a ridiculous D corps

No movenent clause throught the whole deal... welcome to cap hell SJS.

The Sharks are building to be the NHL's 1st retirement home

My thought exactly. The amount? makes sense. The term? A bit much. That full NMC the entire length of the contract? Absolutely brutal.

You cant let Pavs walk after his playoffs... Thornton will most likely take a discount.
I think Meier is the most likely candidate for leaving (offer sheet??) if they dont make space.

I don't think the argument is whether Karlsson deserves the contract. The argument is whether the Sharks can afford it and remain competitive.

He's a free agent. They don't have to re-sign him.
But they're in cap trouble anyways.