After the debacle of a season that was, I don’t think the Sharks would want to look at continuing to try to win. I think they’ll take a step back next year.

Doug Wilson after the Dillon said he fully expects this team to come back next year and make a cup run and will make moves towards helping make that happen.

What if it all fails? Who’s to blame? Burns is 34 and could be on the verge of decline to the point where he’s not even worth his contract, EVEN with retained salary.

As much as that Dell trade is exactly what Sakic is likely looking for. I am not sure he wants to give up a 2nd for goaltender depth. If that's the price I doubt he accepts.

A Gio-Burns maybe the best old man pairing but it kind cuts the flames cup window which is iffy at best right now. Personally I think the flames could do better trading Gaudreau and mostly because they don't have to take on the cap hell that will be Burns' last few years on that contract. I like Labanc and a 1st but I think they'd rather similar value in just one better player than Labanc if that makes sense.

I think losing Burns and Labanc while gaining Gaudreau, in the short term at least, isn't much of an upgrade then. Most teams trying to compete for a cup tend to not want to lose current players off their roster because overall the team doesn't get significantly better.

They'd be better off just trading the 1st and maybe Labanc for an upgrade at a position of need.

I think what you're saying makes perfect sense but it all depends on what Wilson would be able to gain in FA in this hypothetical scenario. If Labanc+Burns are gone and only Gaudreau come back then it's (probably) a net loss in the immediate sense (definitely a gain for the future). But the immediate cap space that would be freed up (since Labanc would get a raise too) could land SJ a guy like Toffoli, in addition to Greiss, Braun, and Fast, then I think it's a net gain.

Say Labanc nets 4mil and Burns stays at 8mil (12mil total). Replacing that with Gaudreau saves 5mil (12-6.75), and if there's a 1.6mil retention for Burns, frees up 3.4mil. If the Sharks are able to add that cap to be able to afford a guy like Toffoli, it's a win. If not, maybe that can really strengthen their depth at least by netting Fast + Pageau + Greiss.

Hopefully SJ nets a 2nd here but I'd be okay with a 3rd -- as long as SJ gets some asset since they really need them. I think it's a trade waiting to happen in the next few days.