Team: 2022-23 San Jose Sharks

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 7, 2022

Published: Apr. 7, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Starts with clearing out both Burns and Vlasic.

Vlasic can't/won't be moved so a buy out here is in order. He's not terrible, his contract is too expensive by about 5mil. and should have 1 more year on it instead of 4. If SJ doesn't sign Tierney and brings up Weatherby/Reedy instead, you can keep Vlasic and buy him out the following season where his buyout will be less impactful on the team's cap.

Burns still has value if there's retention on his contract. I can see him getting moved to Dallas where he has a ranch and spends his summers while also being reunited with Pavelski who make up the dynamic duo team of shots from the point being tipped in for goals. He also replaces Klingberg here. Can still play a ton of minutes -- literally played half the game for some of this season -- so the age thing isn't a factor here unless there's some unexpected massive dropoff, but Burns is the kind of guy that keeps himself in tip-top shape and I easily see this working out for both him and Dallas. Sharks just need a change and commit to Merkley taking over Burns' role for good from next season on out.

Marchment and Nichushkin are terrific commitments for the Sharks to pursue. Both are heavy but skilled players who can really have the best possible impact for the Sharks in the middle-6 as they try to establish their own game instead of playing a defensive-style game. Strome and Tierney add the quality center depth to make this team competitive.

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