I feel like Kakko costs more than Wiesblatt. Probably need to add in a 3rd or something. Or take some bad money off the Rangers books.

AHLer and a 3rd doesn’t do anything for the rangers. I don’t think Trouba or goodrow waives either

Wiesblatt has had a resurgence since his injury which delayed his development progress. He's looked excellent since his reassignment to Milwaukee.

I mean that’s great, but Kakko is already an 3rd line NHLer with great underlying analytics and defensive impact

If Guentzel signs in SJ, I'm guessing it's because of the money

So I'd bump his contract projection at least to 9.5m / 7 years

I understand. How much to you think he’s worth though? I think the best return the Rangers will get for Kakko is if he’s like the 3rd most important piece in a larger deal, but maybe that works better for you guys.

He's all that indeed. Out of respect I won't introduce in Kunin, but a Bordeleau/Kakko swap might be the move if there's a deal to be made with SJ. I wonder if SJ needs to add Ozzy too with NYR being the one who adds in a 3rd to make it happen.

Kakko isn’t worth much but they can probably get a better deal or keep him. He’s better than the low value trades being offered

Hab fans liked my trade of Mesar + 2025 2nd & 3rd for Kakko + 2024 1st

Not really sure how I feel about Guentz coming to the Sharks on a long term deal. He turns 30 in October and even with very aggressive signings/trades, the Sharks are still at best 2 years out from playoffs.

This team is maybe a bubble team next year if the youth transition to the NHL level with little hinderance, but that's unlikely. I know right now they have F**k you money, but in three years when you gotta pay all the young guys, that Contract could be an issue with a 34 year old making 9-9.5. But then again vlasic and couture will be off the books by then so maybe it's worth it.

Also a lot more expensive but I guess NYR have lots of cap room

I mean $2.4m isn’t breaking the bank

Sure but It all adds up

I mean it’s probably only gonna be 1 more year at $2.4m

We shall see. Regardless I think NYR has a dump or two that will get flushed this offseason.

Honestly you're better off losing and building for another 2 years still, before going all-in on 30-something UFA's.

I’ll believe that when I see it. I think Kakko probably gets moved and that’s it

They need Trouba and goodrow gone next off-season

Yes, this makes sense at first glance. But one point that I think often gets overlooked is that 1 or 2 of these investments on very good 29/30 year olds players should be looked as partial investments into the development of your younger players themselves.

Celebrini, Smith, and Musty's development will absolutely be progressed with a guy like Marner/Guentzel/Reinhart on the team in their early years. There's a good chance that their development is stagnated either in small part or in great deal if you don't have those guys on the roster to help them and the team out.

A few counterpoints:

By adding those guys, you'll reduce the value of your draft picks for the near future, thus lowering the team's potential.

Who needs 30 year old superstar linemates to help their development? That's a silly suggestion. None of Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux, McDavid had that. Even lesser players like MacKinnon, Matthew's, Kucherov and Marner didn't have (or need) that.

The best teams in history have a core group of similar aged players.

By the time Celebrini is in his prime (25-30), all those older players will be well past theirs or will have aged out of the league.

You can always sign a bunch of UFA's in 2 years.

Don't rush the rebuild, do it right. Accumulate a bunch more talent before pushing all your chips in.

Why sign Montour and Henrique for only one year? And why would they sign for only one year?

As a Sharks fan, I don’t think Guentzel is the move. He’s a fine player, but he’s top of the UFA class and despite Marek’s fever dream the Sharks are not a good fit for him. He should be looking to sign on to a team that is closer to competing for Cups.

As much as I like Montour and Henrique, I don’t think they’re signing on a last place team that neither has ties to for a single season, just to be on the same team, when they can just go on a fishing trip in the off-season and crack some champagne over their multi-year contracts from separate teams.

As others have said here, the Sharks should practice patience and carry out the rebuild instead of blowing their cap load in one off season. I think the move this season should be, in order of importance:

1. Improve puck moving from the backend, the right side of their defense is currently a black hole.
2. Add a top 6 / middle six forward that provides and additional scoring threat on a 2-3 year contract.
3. Insurance in case Couture is donezo; ideally someone who can play either wing or center on a third line with Smith.

Wiesblatt’s value is fairly low at this point, he definitely doesn’t net Kakko.

That’s a ridiculously high amount for Montour.