I'd love it if San Jose got Duchene but the Shattenkirk signing is a bit of a waste of money imo. The top 4 D is fine and that money could be used towards resigning Hertl/Vlasic/Jones or replacing Jumbo and Patty in UFA when they retire.

The way I see it, the Sharks probably need around 7 million to keep Vlasic, Hertl, and Jones next year( 2 million to Vlasic and Hertl, and 3 million to Jones). That would be doable with Marleau coming off the books in 2018, as well as the predicted cap increases. Braun could also be traded as Ryan/Heed/Bergman make waves.

In regards to replacing JT and Marleau, I see the Duchene trade as replacing Thornton...it is as best as you are going to get without a high draft pick, a great draft year, and some luck. WRT Marleau...he's not exactly the player he was a few years ago, and it is entirely manageable. He's never really been the straw that stirs the drink in SJ. Locking up Vlasic, Burns, and Shattenkirk as the D-core long-term is a much better strategy, IMO.

Vlasic is going to get 6.5-7 and jones 5.5-6 and hertl is probably wants around 4-4.75 and shatty isn't coming to any Cali teams. He is going to sign with a team in the east.

Shattenkirk did list SJ on one of the 8 teams he was willing to be traded to IIRC.