On the San Jose Sharks …
Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: (mailbag) The Sharks will likely be looking to boost their offense this offseason and it might have to cost them a defenseman or two.
The Sharks blueline is an organizational strength at the moment, but it’s costing them about $27 million and Marc-Edouard Vlasic‘s contract expires after next season.
30-year Justin Braun has three years left at a $3.8 million salary, and could interest teams. He’s paired with Vlasic but if they move him for offensive help, they could move David Schlemko up and give Dylan DeMelo a more regular role on the third pair.
The Sharks could also lose defenseman in the expansion draft.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer: The Hurricanes still have plenty of draft picks and GM Ron Francis can take advantage of this to make sure the Golden Knights select the player they would like to be rid of. This will most likely be Eddie Lack.
The Hurricanes can also make a deal with teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators and New York Rangers who may not want a lose a certain forward for nothing.
The Hurricanes won’t be the only team trying to make deals with the Golden Knights.
Francis may not be able to acquire a top-line center they they need, but they might be able to acquire a scoring winger.
“We’ve got the open for business sign out there,” Francis said Wednesday. “We’re in a unique situation with the amount of picks we have and the amount of prospects we have. It’ll be interesting. Really what it comes down to is what teams want: Do they want a player back for the asset they don’t have to protect or are they willing to take some picks and prospects?”
Francis has already talked with Vegas GM George McPhee and expects talks to pick up at the draft combine.
