Forbort and Merkulov for Anthony Duclair with no retention makes some sense.

Maybe Merkulov becomes like Zetterland with more of an opportunity. He’s certainly been very productive in the AHL and his shot translates as does his ability to set position on the left side of the net.

You could likely flip Forbort with retention if you chose to

No on Forbort, just because sharks have too many LD and Mukhamadulin needs a chance next year.

Duclair for Merk and 4th?

I’d probably consider that with 50 percent retention though part of me wonders if he’s any better than other options

50% retention would Cary a much steeper price! Mainly because that’s the Sharks only retention slot left.

That’s why I offered Forbort plus Merkulov who is in the last year of his contract without retention. I’m not super enthusiastic about Duclair at this stage of his career but he can score some goals. I’d rather give Lysell a shot, but I think Montgomery might want a vet

He is still only 28 not 38. And I can understand your position, but a LD is a hard no, we just have too many already plus more on their way.

It’s not like you couldn’t bury him in San Jose or trade him to another team. I’m just stating a simple fact about the cap. I would have ZERO interest in Duclair at $3m

Forbort is a pending UFA. He'd have no impact on Mukhamadulin getting a chance next year.

Why? If your arguing he’s a cap dump then it’s and even harder no and if he has value burying him would kill that. Trade him somewhere else.

Then why do we take him on?

I don’t have any interest in Duclair at $3m. Certainly not giving a Merkulov for him. Trying to give you an option to balance out the salaries and offering a good prospect whose performing extremely well at the the AHL level instead of a mid round pick.

If San Jose trades him to a contender, you are taking a salary back or retaining. Period. Not sure why this is an issue.

That’s a fair assessment. I just don’t know enough about Merk to consider if this is valid or if we’re just getting an AHL scorer who doesn’t have any real NHL projections or not!

No idea, I didn't propose the offer. The best path would be to flip him to a contender looking to improve their PK. Seeing as SJ has a retention slot, they could retain some for the last few months of the season and improve their return. With no retention I'd think he can get a 4th. If SJ wanted to retain then they could get a 3rd for him.