You can’t have the sharks retain 5 million of a 7 million contract.

Why? This doesnt make sense in the slightest

Sharks are trying desperately to move Kane out of SJ
Teammates don't want him there
This may be what they have to do

1) You can't retain more than 50% of a deal so $5 million is literally impossible.

2) If SJ is going to retain that much in addition to giving up a pick they'd just buy him out.

So in no way does this make any sense.

Make it 3,500,000 retained then

No like, you literally are not allowed to retain 5m on a 7m contract

It’s literally against the rules of the national hockey league.

And for that price, they still buy him out rather than attach a pick while getting nothing in return. That said, the most likely outcome is contract termination without penalty.

Logic!

1) You can only retain up to 50% on a contract
2) Even if you used the retention tool and did 50%, you'd still be over cap
3) Kane is most likely getting his contract terminated, and it makes zero sense for San Jose to pay to get rid of him