Coyotes accept - I think they'd even be willing to retain on Kessel for that package

sharks wont need that and Arizona is cash strapped so I doubt they retain.
This helps both teams as sharks would then have enough space to buy out Kane this summer if they cant trade him and still resign Hertl.
and Arizona can pick up a decent prospect in the 2nd round and also have a top 9 RW to replace kessel and a solid defensive D man on a cheaper deal.

From an outside fans perspective, no other team in the league would even consider trading for E.Kane, and it's in the Shark's best interest to never dress him in their uniform again

It’s a pretty large misconception Arizona is cash-strapped. $5m of kessel’s $6.8m this year were a signing bonus we paid back in July to get the best return possible for him at the deadline. Retaining 50% really only costs the yotes a $100k or so, it’s really just about bringing his salary cap number down. If they didn’t have to retain to get him somewhere like in this deal that would be great, it means they could retain on someone else’s expiring contract

Pass on Kessel for that

most of me agrees with you! And I hope the sharks find a way to terminate his deal that doesn't hurt our cap.

another part of me (small part) sees he is a 30+ goal scoring power forward that teams hate to play against and has talent that every team in the leagues covets!
you take away his off ice issues and his attitude and he is an Elite LW and star of the game.
because of his talent someone will give him another chance, his saving grace is that there is no evidence of the abuse on his wife (she admitted to it being a lie), no evidence of the gambiling on his own games or any wrong doings in game for profit.
the only thing he is guilty of is being a bad teammate and a locker room disruption and his Covid card violation.
bankruptcy is almost common in athletes though usually takes place 2-3 years after they retire not during their playing days.

Labanc and Simek are a plus for Arizona but not for the sharks as we have other player equal to them in the wings waiting of opportunity.
Kessel would add playoff experience if we are serious about the playoffs this year and then we get that 6.8 mill of the books in the offseason to pay Hertl and the other players.
its a win win even if Arizona make out on paper better we will have a better lineup for the playoffs and next season because of this deal and the freed up cap space.

Kessel isn’t that expensive

this is more acquiring a piece for a hypothetical playoff run and getting cap space for next year at the same time.
Labanc and Simek neither one fits a need in our future so trading them doesn’t hurt. would a 3rd be a better pick then? would arizona accept that?

To me it’s not a win win when you lose the trade and overpay for a guy. The sharks aren’t actively trying to make the playoffs, if they were they would have kept Eklund on the team. I’m all for moving these guys but the sharks can’t afford to lose trades with their lack of organizational depth.

Eklund wasn’t sent back to tank the season! he was sent back to grow so we don’t stunt his growth and destroy his confidence. Barabanov has produced above him so far this year so we’re not hurting there if we are intending to let Kane play he would have pushed Eklund to the 3rd line and that’s not where we want him. it was a smart hockey move for him and the organization, i agree we shouldn’t look for the playoffs this year, this is purely hypothetical.

do you think Labanc and Simek should be in our lineup next year?

Yeah I think a 2nd and a 3rd would be better, but I also don’t think we should be buyers. Because we sent Eklund back to Sweden, we’ll probably stay put and maybe even trade a depth guy or two. I’d totally be for trading Simek for whatever we could get, but I think we should keep Labanc for now. At least until one of our prospects can fill the 3RW role.

the issue with Labanc is he has been in our doghouse for 2 years now and is playing on the 4th line tonight. so I'm ready to part ways if someone wants him without retention.
I agree we should sell and focus on next year! I also wrote a seller at the deadline post as well right next to this one! that is the one I prefer.
my thought is let Labanc go Simek Boninio and if the right offer comes up even Knyzhov since we have Middleton playing well with karlsson now and Kinazev and Hatakka looking close to NHL ready.
next offseason we sign a guy like Pavelski for 1-2 years to bridge the gap till Robins Coe and Wesblatt will be ready to step up to the NHL. ( I see at least 2 of the 3 making the team sooner than later and potentially all 3) would not be surprised to see our opening night roster in 2-3 years on the RW look like Meier 1st line Robins 2nd line Weisblatt 3rd line Coe 4th. Coe might end up being the better prospect over Weisblatt but Coe with his size 6'4" would be a solid addition to the 4th line with weatherby)

yeah but I think Boughner is just trying to send Labanc a message. Labanc is really a middle 6 guy.

Agree w/ pretty much everything else though.

he should be a top 6 guy with his paycheck and abilities. he looked really good last night! I hope he earns some trust from Boughner.
truth is I have no idea why Bonino hasn't been pushed back to the 4th line and why Pederson hasn't been sent back to the AHL yet.