Upgrading Offense on the Cheap

Sharks should rebuild. Still not close to contending

With those contracts and a flat cap a rebuild would be impossible. I would try to shore up RW and go for it.

How do you suggest that they do that? Burns, Karlsson, Vlasic and Jones all have contracts that can't be moved. That's 39.5% of their cap tied up right there. On top of that, Kane, Couture, Hertl all have 3 team no trade clauses, which severely depreciates their values as well.

That pretty much leaves Timo Meier. Seems weird for a "rebuilder" to move a 23 year old, no?

Agreed. Then spend your last $10 in cap space on a shooter tutor to put in net, and they might have a shot.

It won't be easy but IMO they definitely would be able to start a rebuild now and should do so. They would need to retain salary on the big contracts that still have value to maximize the return but as rebuilding team they would have the cap to do this. If they retain on Burns, Karlsson, Couture they should be able to get good assets for these players. Jones contract will likely have to be ridden out or bought out unless he bounces back. Likewise with Vlasic