Oilers and Sharks

I think SJ accepts

Merkley for Puljujarvi is probably pretty close
and I like Barabanov + Megna for those picks

I'd prefer keeping Barabanov as a key guy that drives this team, and don't think his stats and advanced metrics tell the story of how valuable he is to the team.

That said, this seems like an offer too good to refuse if the Sharks decide to rebuild over the next few years and don't intend to try and compete with Bedard next season after tanking this season. If they intend to compete next season though, I wouldn't do it. Just depends on which direction they decide to take the team on.

They will not be competitive next year, at least not enough to keep him around and lose him to free agency. He's a very good player on a wasted contract. Maybe 2 years they'll be vying for a Wild Card spot but he'll be a free agent and past his prime by then.

Their potential competitiveness next season really depends on what they choose to do beginning at this trade deadline and into the draft and free agency. The Sharks -- and Sheng recently wrote an article that supports this claim -- are really not nearly as bad as their current record indicates. The players/coaches themselves have alluded to this. They're very much in games this season, they've just been experts at throwing games away in the 3rd with dumb mistakes.

I made an armchair gm yesterday that's an example of how the Sharks can be competitive again next season: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/3855852. Just depends on both their decision on where they want to take the team and ability to execute that vision.

Yeah I commented on that thread too. Trading Meier hurts any chance at getting more competitive and the NJ deal would never get done, as Mercer is not going anywhere.

Edit: You also Have Eklund, Bordeleau, Robins, and Bedard in our top 9. You cannot rely on 4 rookies to suddenly take over the production on the team. That's with the 8.5% chance that we even get Bedard (as of now).