would have to let Barabanov walk and add about a mil to Hertl's contract.

At this point it doesn’t look they need Barabanov, especially with incoming prospects that could play next year.

It's lengthy but a Vlasic buyout isn't awful against the cap. It's not the type of burden you generally want to have, but it's probably better than both Parise and Suter's buyouts. The highest cap hit would be $5,187,500 in the 2024-2025 season. Like I said, not something you want... but manageable. Free up short term and worry about those years when you get there. A few of the higher paid guys contracts end around that time anyways so maybe trade them for some assets used with those free'd cap hits. I'm liking the Sharks future here. Slam dunk pick so far in Eklund. I had him going in the top 5 in my mock draft, can't believe he slipped to 7th.