Look at the difference in the team mentality since he's been in the line up. It's clearly better.

Sorenson set up the only goal we got last night. A bit surprised by your take tbh.

Sharks need someone to stand up for their teammates (as cheesy as that sounds) and Gabriel is there to do that. I know he won't contribute much points-wise, but against these physical, annoying teams like the Blues and the Knights, I'm fine with Gabriel being given ice time.

I do agree with you, though, that a forward prospect should play in the top 6, not Nieto.
I would go with something like this-

Kane-Couture-Labanc
Meier-Hertl-Blichfeld
Donato-Gambrell-Leonard
Nieto-Marleau-Gabriel

I wonder if some of these guys aren't being used to try and up their trade value. Like Nieto and Gabriel. Teams always looking for gritty depth guys for the playoffs.

Its not cheesy, it's true, does Vegas have Reaves in the lineup for his goal scoring, nope!

I'm guessing you're referring to Gabriel? There's been two games this season already where he's had more penalty minutes in game than minutes on the ice. Screw fighting to hype up the team, I'd rather have players in the lineup that can add supplemental scoring.

Take the game against Vegas for example. Imagine if when Hertl and Couture were both out, we had players like Gregor Blichfeld, etc in the lineup that had upside of scoring. Instead, Gabirel was playing (not fighting) and adding nothing offensively. Now, take any game where our first or second line falters (last night). What if we had high upside players to provide supplemental scoring?

Sorensen this season has seen enough time. He is legit our worst skater in terms of expected scoring when he's on vs off the ice (somehow narrowly worse than Karlsson). He was fine last game but I'm trusting what I've seen from the last two seasons over last night. He's also just not part of the future of the team, prioritize the young and talented players.

Why are we game planning for a fourth liner who plays 10 minutes at most instead of game planning for the hottest goalie in the league and trying to score on him?

Lets be real though, you're team is going to be bad with these contracts y'all have:
Vasic 7X6
Karlsson 11.5X7
Burns(I can live with because he still produces but 8X5 is a lot for his age)
Jones 5.75X4
Kane 7X5
Those are massive contracts no team will never pick up and y'all are stuck with them. Its a tough position to be in but a retool or something needs to happen but can't trade these guys

I was referring to Gabriel. I see your point, but we're in the headshot division. Blues and Knights are notorious for that stuff. His presence changes that for the rest of the guys.

I don't disagree with wanting a more competent scoring touch in the bottom six, but in this division and with the teams we play this year, I guess it makes more sense with Gabriel. If it was a normal season where we played a bunch of other teams, I get your point.

I'm not sure what happened to Soreson. He's had inconsistent linemates, but so has the entire bottom six. It's been a weird year for sure. I just want them to tank for a high pick this year to compete in the Fall. By that time, I think some of these other players will be ready.

Jones can be bought out soon. Vlasic is the real problem contract.

Kane leads the team in scoring. I'm not sure where you're going with that one.

Kane is most likely gonzo after this year so yeah I shouldn't have included him my b. But with Jones if y'all buy him out that's a penalty for the next 6 oof

Pretty small hit though.

COVID impacted a lot of teams, not just the Sharks with the cap stuff. If the cap goes up to 84 like it was supposed to before all of this, we're having a different conversation.

Don't think the 4th line contributing on the score sheet is much of a consideration for coaches, they likely don't factor into the game plan all that much to be honest.

Maybe but no denying those contracts besides Kane are Massive cap hit and the term for all of them are long so having those on the books and especially with the COVID world no teams would even slightly consider taking a risk on any of those players and that's the problem

Not really that mad about it tbh. Only one I really dislike is playing freakin Gabriel like every game. If he doesn't get in a fight it's basically useless to dress him. Doesn't really matter anyway though, even if Boughner IS a moron, he's contributing to the tank the more he plays terrible depth players so no complaints from me.

If we're tanking don't you wanna see the young players perform and give hope of the future

I suppose but not if they play well and move us up 5 spots lmao. Honestly though I agree I'd rather him stop playing Gabriel at this point. No clue what they're gonna do about the 2 forward expansion draft requirement either we still have 0/2 guys who fulfill that.

I don't think the Sharks are interested in losing those contracts with the exception of Vlasic or Jones tbh. The 3 remaining dmen will be relatively cheap to offset the cost impact.

I can't tell if you're being objective or just hate the Sharks.

Im just being objective. I wanna know what shark fans think they need to do to improve. No hate

Question for Sharks fans: While I understand Kane's rationale for wanting his contract terminated (eliminating the collateral in a Ch 7 proceeding, then getting a new contract with no lien on it), what is the incentive for the Sharks to terminate? Is the current contract an overpay?

Either Vlasic returns to form or we get rid of the contract somehow (which Wilson made very difficult). Vlasic has really dropped off with this new system. A LOT of people on this team have.

Jones has to be bought out or moved. Likely bought out, which is fine. We have almost 8m tied up in goaltending. If he's bought out, his worst cap hit is 3m in the 3rd year. Which leaves 5m dedicated to the position. That's enough to ride young goaltending for a while and still have some left over. Young goaltending can't be any worse.

No clue why people bash Kane and his contract. He's leading the team in scoring.

Also, if there is a mutual termination, I believe he can't sign with the Sharks for a year after termination. He'd have to sit for a year, sign with another team for a year, or just move on. No good scenario.

Part of this is also getting Sorensen and Nieto looks in order to move them at the deadline. Gabriel is about the only lineup decision I can really fault Boogie with overall.

Could not agree more