Suffer — that’s about the only thing you can do unless someone takes one like half retained or maybe still have to pay for someone to take one

3 OVERPAID OLD DEFENSEMEN - WHAT TO DO. Why wasn't a new GM hired? That would have been a good start

Buyout Vlasic next summer, trade Burns at 50% to a contender in 2 years when he's an expiring UFA, and wait out the Karlsson contract and hope he can perform around the same level he has this season. That's really the only option SJ has.

Vlasic buyout is the only option here that will actually happen. Burns has been very productive for his age and contract and continues to be productive as he sits top 12 among defenseman in scoring. IDK why people don't check stats before making ridiculous trades and statements. No offense to you, personally but you should check your facts before posting.

Reimer to a rival for an underpayment. Yeah that's intelligent.

Vlasic's contract is the problem. Karlsson's isn't great, but isn't awful either. They need to find complimentary defenseman. They actually had one, but just traded him to the Wild.

He's 37, has several years left and SJ is near the bottom of the worst division in hockey.

The rebuild should have started 3 years ago

Points aren't everything and 8 million is almost 10% of the cap

HOT TAKE.

Vlasic has looked better than Burns in the last month or so.

Has he?

Yep.

Since Mar. 6, some basic stats (I know these can be misleading since there's higher competition, difference in minutes, defensive/offensive zone starts, etc.), but FWIW:

Points:

Vlasic: 3 goals and 2 assists (5 points)
Burns: 1 goal, 4 assists (5 points)

Plus / Minus:

Vlasic: plus 5
Burns: minus 3

IMO, the eye test, Vlasic's for sure looked better.

Merkley effect?

I like that. Merkley's looked terrific. I'm really looking forward to next season and beyond seeing him develop even further.

Having said that, he's a perfect Burns replacement. I'd like to see Burns moved in the offseason for some kind of value even with retention instead of buying out Vlasic (his buyout cap hit in the next offseason wouldn't be nearly as bad as buying him out this offseason).

With some of the ELCs coming on the books, having Karlsson + Burns + Merkley down the right side doesn't seem half bad.