Team: 2022-23 San Jose Sharks

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 3, 2022

Published: Feb. 4, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

AT THE 2022 TDL

1) RESIGN HERTL BEFORE THE 2022 TDL

I start off a little earlier than the TDL by keeping Hertl and not risking not having him signed. He's key to the team becoming competitive again. 8mil aav over 5-7 yrs is fair for both sides.

2) TRADE FOR CHYCHRUN

This will be controversial since SJ has a good healthy number of LHD. I think the team would be far better off for it if they upgrade the top-4 LHD position by adding Chychrun. Coe, who's been absolutely tearing up the OHL this season, and a 2022 1st rounder are the centerpieces of the deal, with Middleton and Hill functioning as fine stabilizing young cost-controlled secondary pieces to complete the package.

3) ACQUIRE TOFFOLI (or another top-6 RW)

Toffoli makes sense here given his lower cap hit, bigger body/power-forward style of play to fit what the Couture line needs, and goal-scoring ability. A guy like Konecny would be fine too. I think Labanc Weisblatt and a 2nd gets it done. Labanc can easily bounce-back and replace Toffoli's production with an upside to do even better, Weisblatt is a late 1st-round RW prospect who's developing fine and has major middle-6 NHL upside, and a 2nd does the trick. Acquiring Toffoli and Chychrun shows Hertl that the team wants to win.

4) TRADE COGLIANO FOR A MID-ROUND PICK AND BARABANOV TO THE CAPS

He’s expendable and can be replaced by Gadjovich, Raska, but Sharks can keep him too (maybe even extend him for another year at a 1mil cap hit) since he's been very good. Barabanov becomes a cap casualty (in terms of resigning him for the following season and so SJ trades him to the Caps for a decent return of a 2nd and a 3rd/4th.

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IN THE OFFSEASON
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5) ACQUIRE KERFOOT TO BE THE 3RD LINE CENTER

I know Kerfoot's been playing wing mostly this season but he'd do fine as the 3C on this team with guys like Balcers and Gregor (who's been unlucky goal-scoring-wise but has otherwise been playing great). Kerfoot's a perfect offense/defense balanced 3C for the team also because he'll be on an expiring contract and Bordeleau will be set to take over the spot from the 2023 season onwards.

6) TRADE BURNS TO FLORIDA FOR BOBROVSKY WITH RETENTION

The blockbuster deal of this proposed roster that is actually not too unrealistic. For starters, Florida's a team that Burns likely waives for given the no tax thing and the fact that they're arguably the best team in the league (a Jumbo influence there too doesn't hurt). Second, Bob's expendable for the Panthers with Knight set to take over as the #1. They also save a year of that 10mil cap hit while getting a quality RHD back in return who has shown no signs of slowing down as he's been routinely playing 25+ minutes (sometimes 30+) a night. Bob waives to not have Knight breathe down his neck and play somewhere as the #1 goalie that's also a competitive team.

7) TRADE REIMER AND BONINO

Trading Reimer gets you two 2nds with the way he’s played this season. Comes at a super low cap hit too. Bonino meanwhile gets you a mid-round pick as a shutdown 4C for a year for a competing team. Cap-casualty for the Sharks.

8) TRADE SIMEK AND BUYOUT VLASIC

Simek can be traded for a mid-to-late round pick while Vlasic reaches the end of his time in SJ with Chychrun Ferraro Knyzhov Hattaka Megna Knyiazev all there at the LD position.

9) SIGN COLIN MILLER

Sign a defensive guy to replace Burns and play with Ferraro or Chychrun in the top-4. Miller at 3.5mil over 3yrs is fair for both sides but other free agent guys like Manson (if he’s cheap enough) or Benning/Rutta for a little less expensive do the trick. Miller’s the perfect guy though, and SJ has a track record of having former Sabres come to the team and bounce back in a big way.

10) SIGN LAZAR OR HINOSTROZA

Sign a 4th line RW guy to fill out the roster for 1mil or less. Ideally he’ll be an established vet and a RH shot to play on the PK but if not, then a guy like Raska or even Reedy if they’re ready.

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