The Sharks have a lot of cap space this offseason and many avenues available to them to improve the team, but what avenues should they avoid this offseason?
Brock Boeser
Brock Boeser is a good hockey player; Boeser would also be an excellent fit in the Shark's top 6. The 28-year-old goal scorer has consistently scored 45-55 points in most of his seasons while missing games every year in these seasons. His 73-point, 40-goal campaign during the 2023-24 season looks more like an anomaly than the standard. This is supported by a 19.% shooting percentage that sits 5 % above his career average. Daily Faceoff is projecting Boeser to earn 8,5 million AAV on his next contract over 6 years, a price the Sharks would at least have to meet to convince Boeser to sign with a rebuilding club. This is where it gets worrisome for the Sharks. Boeser is undoubtedly a good NHL player, but it’s hard to expect him to live up to a big contract like this, even in the rising cap environment. This is why the Sharks should steer clear and focus on finding more value contracts in free agency.
Ryan Donato
Sharks fans are very familiar with Ryan Donato. He played for the Sharks during the 2020-21 season, posting six goals and 20 points in 50 games, leading him to be non-tendered in that offseason. Fast forward 4 seasons and Ryan Donato had a breakout season the Sharks were hoping for, scoring 31 goals and 62 points in 80 games for the Blackhawks. With an entirely different management staff in place, the Sharks could look at a Donato reunion. Donato is projected to earn a modest 4.2 million over 3 years on his next deal, per Daily Faceoff. While this does not seem bad for the Sharks on paper, I have my doubts about Donato replicating his success; his shooting percentage last season sat at 17%, a full 6 percent above his career average, while an increase in ice time does play a factor in his offensive success this past season, I would like to see a larger sample size of success beyond this season before committing term to Donato.
Significant Offer Sheet to a RFA
Finally, the Sharks should avoid going after any restricted free agents via the offer sheet. While this is a given since teams generally don't make big splashes via the offer sheet, we did see the Blues make two offer sheets last offseason. The Sharks have tons of cap space and could make a splash on someone like Matthew Knies or Noah Dobson in a tier 3 range worth a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. This would be a bad idea as the Sharks are in no position to compete next season, even with one of these players, and giving up a chance at Gavin Mckenna next off-season would be catastrophic.
The Sharks have many options available to them, and even if they have cap space, they should remain patient and find the best deals they can. So when they have to extend their core, they can still add pieces around the edges to build the best contender possible down the road.