Sharks should rebuild. Still not close to contending

With those contracts and a flat cap a rebuild would be impossible. I would try to shore up RW and go for it.

How do you suggest that they do that? Burns, Karlsson, Vlasic and Jones all have contracts that can't be moved. That's 39.5% of their cap tied up right there. On top of that, Kane, Couture, Hertl all have 3 team no trade clauses, which severely depreciates their values as well.

That pretty much leaves Timo Meier. Seems weird for a "rebuilder" to move a 23 year old, no?

Agreed. Then spend your last $10 in cap space on a shooter tutor to put in net, and they might have a shot.

It won't be easy but IMO they definitely would be able to start a rebuild now and should do so. They would need to retain salary on the big contracts that still have value to maximize the return but as rebuilding team they would have the cap to do this. If they retain on Burns, Karlsson, Couture they should be able to get good assets for these players. Jones contract will likely have to be ridden out or bought out unless he bounces back. Likewise with Vlasic

Sorry to say Anderson has already been traded...
Stanley_Cup_To_Manhattan posted 3 trades before yours, and Jackets took Tage Thompson & a 2nd from Buffalo for Anderson (the Buffalo pick is 38th overall)

The 2 picks you offered would be #58 & who knows? 2021 3rd round (anywhere between #63-94)

I mean this is kind of do-or-die for the Sharks. Couture is probably still a valuable piece to a team like the Jets, Karlsson could be moved with retainment, Kane is still pretty valuable, and Hertl is a good 2nd liner with some decent value. I highly doubt the same will be said next year. This is the time to blow it up.

Yes, couture has value to a team like Winnipeg, but given that he gets to list 3 teams that he would agree to spend the next 7 year playing for, what do you think the chances are Winnipeg makes that list? same with someone like Kane. “Oh hey guys, put your 3 teams down on the paper!”

-Tampa Bay
-New York Islanders
-Toronto Maple Leafs

Why? Because none of those teams can afford them, so they get to stick in sunny San Jose!

How do you propose they blow it up? Like outside of Hertl and Meier, no one else is going to net you a great deal in terms of assets. There are too many trade clauses to facilitate a blow up and Doug Wilson is not ever going to rebuild entirely.

The path to contention is not that far off. Healthy Karlsson and a rebound from Burns (with the time off and Boughner back as opposed to Deboer he is likely back to being a 70 point guy on the blue line again). Add a pair of RW and give it a go again. As long as you don't move the 2021 1st rounder, there is virtually no risk. If it sucks, you are picking in the lottery. If it doesn't, you're back in the playoffs in a weak Pacific with a shot at the WCF.

You can offersheet Anderson if you want him that badly.