The Sharks seem to be trending in the right direction with an influx of talented young players and dedicated veterans, the future is bright for team teal. While the Sharks werent expected to amount to much in the 2024-25 season, if the Sharks want to avoid a lengthy rebuild and an upset fanbase, the sharks should take a hard look at some of the less effiecnet players on the team and find ways to move on from them.
1. Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Marc-Edouard Vlasic currently has one of the worst contracts in the NHL. The 37-year-old is in the seventh year of an eight-year deal with an AAV of $7 million and will become a UFA in 2026 at age 39. Vlasic hasn’t been effective since signing his massive contract in 2018-19, when he posted 25 points in 72 games. Even at his peak, Vlasic’s career-high is just 39 points—hardly worth $7 million annually for a defenseman.
To put this into perspective, Quinn Hughes, arguably the best defenseman in the league, makes $7.85 million AAV and posted 92 points in 82 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks. To say that Vlasic is overpaid is an understatement.
It's well known that Vlasic has been stuggling with an upper-body injury since last season and is reportedly close to making his debut this season, according to head coach Ryan Warsofsky. While it would be nice to see Vlasic back in teal, reliving the glory days of good 'ol Sharks hockey, I don’t expect his return to make much of a difference for the team this season. However, his return could be an oppourtunity to draw intrest on Vlasic by other teams seeking a veteran player but I doubt any other teams would take on his salary when there are more affordable players out there. As the Sharks’ rebuild enters full swing, they can at least take solace in the fact that Vlasic’s expensive contract expires in 2026. At that point, they’ll hopefully be able to part ways with him, whether he retires or moves to another team. Either way, the Sharks need to move on from both Vlasic and his costly deal, using the cap relief to bring in younger, more talented defensemen who can help set the team up for future success.
2. Vitek Vanecek
The goaltending situation in San Jose has been complicated this season. With Mackenzie Blackwood being traded to the Colorado Avalanche, the Sharks have yet to settle on a clear number-one starter, rotating between Vitek Vanecek, Alexander Georgiev, and top prospect Yaroslav Askarov. While Askarov has shown flashes of success, he's still developing. However, it’s becoming clear that Askarov is poised to take over as the franchise's next star goalie, making Vanecek's role less crucial.
Vanecek, 28, is in the third year of a four-year contract with an AAV of $3.4 million. Yet, he has struggled during his time with the Sharks, frequently allowing easy goals that should be routine saves. So far this season, Vanecek has gone 3-8-1 in 13 starts this season, posting a .885 save percentage and averaging 3.84 goals against. While hockey is a team effort, and Vanecek hasn't received the same level of support that better teams provide in front of the net, his performance, or lack thereof, hasn't justified keeping him around. At this point, it’s time for the Sharks to make the jump and hand the net over to Askarov full-time, making Vanecek too expensive to keep on as a backup goaltender.
3. Cody Ceci
4. Mario Ferraro
This may be a bold choice, given how liked Mario Ferarro is by Sharks fans and teammates alike. Don’t get me wrong, I like Ferraro but his defensive play is hurting the Sharks. The 27-year-old Canadian is in his third year of a four year contract with an AAV of $3.25 million and is set to be a UFA in 2026.
5. Logan Couture
The 35-year-old Canadian captain, Logan Couture, was limited to just six games during the 2023-24 season due to a persistent groin injury. He is in the sixth year of an eight-year contract signed in 2018, which carries an AAV of $8 million. Given the number of games he has missed and the lack of a clear return date or progress update, it seems that Couture's career may be skating to its end. Even if he does return, his ability to perform at a high level appears increasingly unlikely as he remains sidelined at the mercy of his injury.
Though it pains me to include his name on this list, and while I remain hopeful that Couture will return to the ice and continue to compete at a high level, at this stage in his career, I just don’t see it happening. At the very least, the Sharks should consider relinquishing the captaincy and exploring alternative roles for Couture within the organization.