Team: 2020-21 San Jose Sharks

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 7, 2020

Published: Dec. 9, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Karlsson has been an expensive disappointment since acquired and SJS is laden with a few big contracts for older guys in Burns, Vlasic, Couture that are going to be diffivult or impossible to move in a few more years.
Karlsson who carries value, at 11.5 for 7 more years is a real worry, as injuries and the team makeup and decline makes that contract a bit scary.
I have made a 14 forward, 7 dman roster and signed RD Hamonic, which makes a pretty nice competitive lineup. But looking at those SJS salaries theres little movement in 5 of their top 6 forwards (couture/kane/lablanc are all 4 yrs or more) and 3 of their top 4 dmen for years (Burns/Vlasic/Simek are all 4 yrs left or more), so moving a very long term contract, (even for a valuable player now), makes sense.
Ghost is injury free and a solid number 3 still, but squeezed out in PHI behind Provorov and Sanheim at LD. Hes only 27 and 4.5mil for a career 43pt season average is not too bad. His contract has 3 yrs left
JVR had 41 pts in 59 games last yr in 3rd line minutes. Hes a solid producing winger and big body on the PP that will assist youngsters to grow while producing. JVR is 30 yrs old and 3 yrs left and should produce through end of contract. 7mil for JVR is a lot but not by a lot, (not in a world that Jeff Skinner gets 9mil), but if JVR was 5.5mil he would be viewed differently.
Overall its 11.5mil for 11.5mil but its spreading the risk on to 2 players instead of 1 and not having those additional 4 yrs of likely declining play for a player who has an injury history.
The 1st rounder might not be enough, maybe they want a 2nd or 3rd as well.
But when its all said and done, I would think its Philly that says no, 11.5mil for 7 yrs on one player is a lot and upsets the careful salary balance they have on defense (Provorov is 6.75, Myers 2.5, Sanheim 3.25), but PHI could use a 1RD, and have enough expiring contracts next yr to afford RFAs Hart and Sanheim.