But that wasn't what he did.  He was unfairly targeted by the officials due to him having played for the Golden Knights.  With this, the Sharks touched bottom having reached the bottom of the league or at least 3rd last.

Seeking to move Erskine to rid the Sharks of the stigma former Golden Knight players had, he found a taker.  After that the Sharks pushed hard to make the playoffs but instead of the Predators getting payback in the playoffs (again), they decided to get it in the regular season.  They essentially knocked the Sharks out by beating them.  The Sharks sat on the outside looking in as one of the hottest teams going into that final week of the season.

How do the Sharks make next season more consistent?  How do they make the playoffs before the final days?  One thing for sure, is to stay away from Golden Knight players (sorry Corey!)  

First things first.  With the play of Samuel Montembeault through the homestretch (and really throughout the season), it has become apparent to the Sharks management team that the contract previously signed (that has kept a certain winterpeg GM up at night) needed to be restructured to respect the player that Montembeault is.  

"He's our star.  Without him, we don't win, we don't play meaningful hockey." - GM Tony Matthews

Montembeault's deal moves from a 15 yr deal $5m per (11 yrs remaining at the time), to an 8 yr deal worth $49.25m

Once that deal was completed we need to assess our defense.

We need to find a role for Logan Stanley who has not lived up to the hype and while still a defensive asset, has moved down the depth chart.

With 4 defensemen still under contract, we will need to look into workouts and filling out the defense to help out Monty.

On the forward front, we will be talking to some of our UFAs to see what we can work out. 

We have a few players in Worcester itching to make San Jose their home.

In terms of the next phase of the roster movement rules, we will have a few players that are affected on the salary portion of the rule (McRae and Wilson).  

Those players are projected to play out the season on the pro roster as they are only valuable to SJ (a team that still pushes the chemistry created by the players)

(note: also knowing this league, they are not players anyone will want at that price and needing to keep on their pro team - not until rental period at least)

That leaves us with one thing....The Draft.

Who does the Sharks pick with the Vegas 3rd round pick (really it's like a low 2nd round pick)?