Welcome to Seattle, Evander Kane

Why would you not protect Kane?

Pretty bad team

Why would you protect Vlasic?

NMC

Before I mention the reason, I fully acknowledge DW should probably protect Kane.

I left him out here mainly because if the Sharks can make a run at Danault in the offseason next season, he can center the 2nd line and bump up Hertl to Couture's wing (or Couture to Hertl's wing). With Kane's cap hit gone, SJ can maybe even go after Gallagher too.

Burns isn't as replaceable. Contrary to what most ppl on this site believe, I know he still has a few very, very good years left with this very extended rest for his beast of a body after playing heavy minutes (25+) throughout all those long taxing postseasons. I still didn't protect him again because SJ has Karlsson and Burns' cap hit for SJ's situation of needing to prioritize other areas.

Having said all that it obviously makes more sense to protect Kane over Kellman. But if I'm SJ's GM, I want to be absolutely sure that SJ gets cap space next offseason. If SEA chooses Kellman, the Sharks are absolutely screwed, to put it simply. But again, it's still probably worth the risk to protect Kane.

I don't think so -- I think it's a very, very good team.

Guys like Foligno Verhaeghe Fast fit perfectly with Boughner's smart, defensive-first style of coaching. And this extended rest for Vlasic, Burns, Ek65, Kane, Couture, and a full offseason of Nabby-coaching for Jones, and Blichfeld's likely emergence after being AHL all-star last year and growing a lot more after this big break makes this team a serious cup-contender even if the names of the guys brought in aren't as flashy. The team also has the size speed skill and depth distributed pretty evenly throughout the roster to compete in the playoffs.

I like that 3rd Line, Foligno is solid, & you can't have enough Centers.