Isn't it more realistic just keeping braun, not signing Gardiner and hand out a bit more money on the Labanc and Thornton contracts?

I think the term for Labanc is accurate, but I suspect he'll get at least 3.5m. He took over PP1 in the second half of the season.

Meier won't get over 6. In fact, I suspect he'll get 3 year/5m. If you give him a 4 year deal, I believe that pushes him into UFA. Either it's 3 year or 8.

I'd rather keep Braun than Gard.

Braun had a rough year while being paid 3.8mil, is an impending UFA (after this coming season), and plays a completely different style of game than Gardiner. With the loss of Karlsson (assumption) a puck moving dman who can QB a PP will be needed.

Heed can run a PP but I would be shocked if Heed re-signed with the Sharks given that they stuck him in the press box for the majority of his first 2 years there. He will be looking for a team who will give him the best opportunity to play top 4 and PP. I highly doubt he trusts the Sharks management to give him that opportunity at this point, regardless of Karlsson's situation. They will have to pay up big to keep Heed... I think Heed will get 2-2.5 mil on the open market as a UFA... which SJ would have to beat. It's not a secret across the league that he has been extremely underutilized playing his role as an offensive dman behind Burns and Karlsson.

At this point in his career, I don't think Joe Thornton cares if he's getting paid an extra 500k or 1 mil. He knows very well that this team is up against the cap and all he wants is a cup. Lebanc on the other hand, I may be a bit low on. Most likely he will sign a bridge deal (2-3 years) at around 3.5mil. If he can find consistency in his game during that bridge deal he will be in for a big pay day. He's just scratching the surface of his offensive game at this point in his career.

Pavelski at 6.5mil is also very low for a 38 goal scorer. But I do not see him moving his family at this point in his career. However, he could leave if the Sharks arent aggressive in free agent signing and don't put together a legit cup contender (Gardiner would help). I think he's in the same boat as Thornton and will be willing to take less money to keep his family situated and help this team win a cup if they have a roster that is capable.

@goodfella Meier just scored 30 goals in his second full season as a 22 year old. It would a huge mistake for him to sign a long term deal (over 4 years) at anything less than 7-7.5 mil. There's a very good chance that Meier will become a 8mil player over the next couple years. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I did considered the UFA part while looking at term. 3 years at 5 mil would be great from the Sharks perspective but Meier is already more valuable than a $5 mil player. The three year term makes sense, as the the sharks would have a chance to sign him to a fair contract at the expiration of this contract before he hits open market as a UFA. $5 mil right now is just too low, especially when you consider what other RFA's will be getting this summer... Nylander already got 7 mil aav. Kyle Connor, Brock Boeser and Sebastion Aho's contract will help set the market for Meier. Wouldn't be surprised if this negotiation goes on for a long time.

You'd rather have Braun than Gardiner even if Karlsson and Heed leave? Who would run the second PP? Braun did not have a good season this year and is 32. I'll take the 28 year old puck moving dman who can run a PP over Braun, no question. I'm not bashing Braun, hes a solid stay at home guy when he's on his game but he seems to be trending the wrong direction. The only way to sign a FA dman who is a legit PP QB would be to shed some salary. Braun seems like the best option to do this.

Nylander got that in part because of Tavares. I agree though, Meier deal will depend on those other three. While his game improved dramatically this year, keep in mind he played with some great linemates. One good year as a sample size with great linemates. I think he does closer to 5, but 2 or 3 years (I prefer 3). Look at the Hertl or Cout bridge deals. Cout had two back to back 30g seasons and got 2.8. Both didn't exceed 5% of the cap.

Gards is a concern I have in the playoffs when we'd need him most. I'd rather retool a year and wait for some of the young kids to develop more (merkley, chek, chme)