Brace for the Storm
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 12,840
Likes: 6,647
It was good to let Pavs go and keep Karlsson.
WAIT until you all scream. Let me explain.
Strangely enough, I think this has little to do with the two players involved. Yes, really. Actually, I think it was about Burns being 34 (35 at the end of this season). Burns is still a 1st pairing D-man and it's likely he'll be that again next season. So basically, at the time of making that decision, Burns had 2 years left at being a top pairing D-man. Karlsson, being around 30 years old, has probably 5 years left at being a top pairing D-man, 3 after Burns isn't capable of playing in that role. So I think they kept Karlsson to help Burns during the next years. Burns could be a very reliable number 2 D-man until 38 year old playing behind Karlsson. Basically, what I'm trying to say here is that if Burns had been 2 years younger (he'd be 33 at the end of this season, not 35), I think they'd let Karlsson walk. Then again, I'm not too sure, since Pavs is 35 now and already declining.
A lot of you are probably gonna tell me that SJ has Ferraro and Merkley. While it's true that the later will become a solid top 4 D-man in 2 years maybe, but by then Burns will already be 37, and he won't be capable anymore of playing 27 minutes per game. And yes, Chara and Lidstrom were capable of soing that, but they are in the top 5 in Lidstrom's case and top 15 in Chara's case of the best D-men of all time. Burns isn't there, in my opinion at least.
We all know that the Sharks have way too much money locked up in their 3 best d-men (Vlasic is at 7 mil per, Burns at 8 mil and Karlsson at 11,5 per) but I think that Karlsson's deal won't hurt them too much because he'll only be 36 at the end of the contract. Burns will be 40 at the end of his!!! Vlasic will be 39!!
If anything it was giving Vlasic anything over 6 mil per that goes over the age of 37 and Burns anything that goes over the age of 38 the problem, not letting Pavs go and keeping Karlsson.
You might also point out that Pavs was the leader of the team, the heart and soul.
Well, while that is true, the SJS don't lack leadership... Couture, Hertl, Big Joe, Patty (when he came back of course), Burns, Karlsson and Pickle all bring leadership to the team. There are a lot of teams who would kill to have more than 4-5 players bringing leadership to their group.
And if SJ is struggling big time this season is not because of Pavs not being there (as I've already pointed out, he's already declining), it's Jones being a shell of his former self and DeBoer being past his expiration date with the SJS.
Let me know what you guys think about what I think