At THE STATE OF THE SHARKS, Doug Wilson made it clear that he never enjoys trading a player – but sometimes it is necessary to improve the team by either the salary cap gained or the player coming back in return. With the Sharks in a salary cap crunch, with several holes to fill and their own RFA’s to tend to, there are two key players and one whipping boy from last years team that I think suggest parting with in 2008-09. As fantasy GM, I left the Sharks at 45.75M after my suggestions of resigning J.R. (already happened), Boucher and Brian Campbell.

KYLE MCLAREN (2008 salary 2.5M) – McLaren isn’t the player he used to be, whether that is due to injuries or Ron Wilson’s coaching style that restricted his physical play or some combo of both – McLaren has been replaced by Murray. I know, I know – even in limited action, Big Mac led the Sharks in hits last year, but these were not the bone crushing variety we’re used to seeing as McLaren flies towards some poor sap, ready to pin him on the boards with a McLaren hip check. Those days appear to be over…and thus, so is McLaren’s term in San Jose. We will miss you and your yellow visor. Prediction: Traded for a 4th round pick on draft day.

MIKE GRIER (2008 salary 1.75M) – Grier was a disappointment last year, and for a guy who is supposed to be a driving force in the locker room and on the ice, there were times when us fans and Sharks broadcasters noticed Grier looked disinterested and unmotivated. Could he be traded for a young grinder/LW on a veteran hockey team looking for 3rd line help, perhaps back to Buffalo for Drew Stafford (0.9M) or to Washington for a big body like Dave Steckel (0.5M). I like Grier – he is my namesake after all – but I think the Sharks need to get meaner on the 3rd line. Prediction: Traded for a young player before July 1st.

MATT CARLE (2008 salary 3.0M roughly) – Part of me thinks that DW won’t give up on Carle, but he does have to shed salary if he keeps Campbell, and I’m inclined to think that Marleau and Cheechoo are sticking. Last year might be chalked up to second year blues and a bad relationship with Ron Wilson – and there enough teams out there in need of a young defensemen. I haven’t forgotten that Carle was on the All Rookie team in 2006-07, and I’m sure there are a dozen GM’s who haven’t forgotten either. He could even be moved in exchange for another young player, perhaps Philly would swap Scotty Upshall for Carle to improve their blueline. Prediction: Traded on draft day for a mid-1st round pick.

This clears about 7.3M in cap room, putting the Sharks at 38.4M, which would help DW’s efforts to resign his RFA’s and take an impact player in return here. There are other questions now, like which RFA’s are staying and which are going and how many rookies are going to be on the team next year. All this and then a look at what players might be out there via trade/UFA market.