That’s a whole lot of “if”s that need to happen and those trades certainly don’t help them. Even with some of this happening they are close to a playoff team

so half the squad breaks out?

yes I would hope if every player on the roster had a huge breakout season that we'd make the playoffs

u heard it here first

Sorry but Hathaway is more valuable than Labanc, especially to the capitals as we have many players that can play on the third line that are very similar to Lebanc. Johansson, Eller, McMichael, Sheary, Snively, Protas, Leason, even when Wilson is healthy one of Mantha, Brown or Oshie will be on that third line.

"one of the best 4th liners in the league" This is one of the main reasons we will most likely not be trading him.

Also, Hathaway proved last year he can play on any line and is very versatile, so why would the capitals trade him if we will most likely be fighting for a playoff spot? As well as Labanc, in my opinion, isn't very good...

Labanc has top 6 talent and skill, he’s had his hands tied by the past coach and that hurt his value. but to be fair his cap hit will keep most from taking him on. best case i see is Labanc playing like he should and sharks either choosing to keep him or just good enough to maybe send to Seattle for Donskoi straight up. 1st is ideal 2nd is an option to free up cap for next year.
sharks have added some talent and players who are primed improve (Lindblom Kunin Nutivaara) and some who add solid depth (Svetchnikov lorentz Sturm Benning) but even so we’re at best bottom 7 at worst could be one of the 3 worst teams in the NHL.
this is further exasperated with managements decision to keep the prospects in the AHL this year rather than “bring them up too soon” which only hurts us further.
with only 1 true scoring line and 3 that looks more like depth lines teams are going to focus on Meier and Hertl and grind them down. i see both having tough years and i see the sharks still being a -25 to -50 goal team and getting a top 5 pick.

As the jets, I’d be willing to take that Dillon trade right now. Makes space for our prospects and we get a depth d-man.

If you are admittedly "dumping" Labanc the pick would have to be going the other way + a 2nd for hathaway