For sure. But I think the debate we should be having is whether today's Karlsson is even worth the present cap hit for what he now provides. I would argue emphatically not.
I'd argue we don't even know what "today's Karlsson" is. It was a troublesome year for injuries, but he hasn't missed much time in the 5 years prior, and he's still managed to produce points (which is his primary contribution and always has been).
I think some of the alarm bells are wishful thinking. Karlsson could easily go ahead and get back to form through some adjustments.
There were questions around if Crosby's career was over during the stretch between 2011 and 2013. He went on to be more dominant than ever as an all-around player. Karlsson is old and the injury is much different, but still, the best player adapt to their body.
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I'd argue we don't even know what "today's Karlsson" is. It was a troublesome year for injuries, but he hasn't missed much time in the 5 years prior, and he's still managed to produce points (which is his primary contribution and always has been).
I think some of the alarm bells are wishful thinking. Karlsson could easily go ahead and get back to form through some adjustments.
There were questions around if Crosby's career was over during the stretch between 2011 and 2013. He went on to be more dominant than ever as an all-around player. Karlsson is old and the injury is much different, but still, the best player adapt to their body.
Well Crosby didn't have a chunk of his skull removed. Karlsson is physically not the same player he used to be and that's a fact because his he's had bone removed and artificial tendons in place in one of his foots and his game has always been based on his mobility. I think he should have a bounce back season at least next year (providing he stays healthy which is never a given) with a season under his belt out West but this is an 8 year deal we are talking about so there's considerable risk. It's not like it's just fans here at CP that question the deal as it's media as well as Duhatschek, Burnside, etc think this will likely end up cost them;
Well Crosby didn't have a chunk of his skull removed. Karlsson is physically not the same player he used to be and that's a fact because his he's had bone removed and artificial tendons in place in one of his foots and his game has always been based on his mobility. I think he should have a bounce back season at least next year (providing he stays healthy which is never a given) with a season under his belt out West but this is an 8 year deal we are talking about so there's considerable risk. It's not like it's just fans here at CP that question the deal as it's media as well as Duhatschek, Burnside, etc think this will likely end up cost them;
Well sure, questioning the deal makes sense. I don't think it's a smart deal, and I would bet more heavily on it not looking good in the long term.
My only point was writing it off as a foregone conclusion that the Karlsson of old was gone or that this contract is a disaster just doesn't make sense. I agree with the sentiment, I just think there's a good chance it's just fine as well. I wouldn't bet 90 million dollars on it though.
This is about the Sharks keeping their window to win open. If Karlsson walks, there’s nobody out there who’s going to fill his skates. What I truly admire here is how Wilson once again got aggressive last September in trading for Karlsson for a package that honestly wasn’t all too costly and now he got to keep the player. It’s like the Blues trading for Ryan O’Reilly a summer ago, or the Golden Knights for Mark Stone at the trade deadline; these players are few and far between and when they’re available you need to pounce. This is a good day in Sharks country.
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Imagine that you’re GM Doug Wilson and your team keeps knocking at the door, but are unable to open it. The time to win is now. How do you get any better if Karlsson leaves? You don’t, no matter what tricks you have up your sleeve.
“It’s a lot of money but I don’t blame him at all, he’s trying to win and that’s a superstar player,’’ one Eastern Conference team executive said in the wake of Monday’s blockbuster signing.
That's their top 6 scoring forwards in order last season and their ages ranging from 74 to 56 points. Now they have two Norris contending elite offensive Dmen who are both younger than Gio.
I want them to suck as much or more than anyone, but I will believe it when I see it.
Yeah yeah, like what people said about the Kings except they actually won.
its an interesting debate ... if you look at what Columbus did, even though they weren't successful, they pushed all their chips into the middle of the table as they knew this was the only shot with this team.
The Raptors did something similar in acquiring Leonard on an expiring contract... there's no guarantee he'll re-sign, but at this point everyone is happy with the end justifying the means.
I don't believe Karlsson is worth the cost of his contract, especially by the time it is at the midway point, but SJS is rolling the dice and saying we're going for broke, not unlike the Lakers just did in acquiring Davis.
Sharks don’t need to get better to be in contention. They are extending their window.
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They weren't good enough to win...and the reality is they lost the division to Calgary and then would have lost in the first round if not for one of the worst calls in NHL history.
Now they get older and lose players. It's not even debatable that this will become a bad contract...the only debate is when.
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If you can keep the pkayer, great, though the salary may haunt them. I think the Sharks will regret this salary and Kane's too. If you don't get the deal done, you end up like the Jets getting Hayes.
Part of a massive deal like this is you have to believe that Hockey Related Revenue forecasts will still show growth in years 3+ so that the future cap hit isn’t as burdensome.
I personally don’t believe that to be the case. This is a bad deal. It’s a good deal for next year and the year after, but now you have 6 years of caphell afterwards.
At some point the window closes and for San Jose, sorry, but it’s closed.
People should pay attention to what happened in the NBA and NHL this year. The Blues and Raptors weren’t the favorites coming into the year. But they had contending teams that were in the mix. And when things broke right for them, they won it all.
There are no prohibitive favorites in the NHL. Wilson has built a team that has contended for several years and will contend for at least a few more. Their window has not closed IMO.
The last number of years have proved just make the playoffs and anything can happen, I think it boils down to what team can keep it's high end players the healthiest wins it all. Blues stars were probably tired and a little beat up but mostly healthy, on the other hand just about every Bruin's top player could barely walk and in one case...talk.
