Ice hockey: Do the Sharks still have coal for Timo Meier?

The San Jose Sharks and their transfer policy do not have the best reputation of the NHL. In 1991, the Silicon Valley-based organization added to the illustrious circle of the best league in the world in the context of an expansion, but was never enough for the very great sports success, despite the billions of owners Hasso Plattner (SAP).

Former Davos star Joe Thornton has been able to correct the playoff picture in recent years, but even the most successful sports season came to an end three years ago. a loss in the Stanley Cup final against Pittsburgh.

This deficit is now apparently obvious Erik Karlsson: the 29-year-old offensive defender received before the start of the transfer window on July 1, an 8-year contract and $ 92 million, the Sharks payroll is from here 2027 with $ 11.5 million a year loaded.

Is there Switzerland's Timo Meier? The sturdy winger is after his best season not only statistically (scorer of 81 points in 98 games) before a contract extension, but is bound as a "restricted free agent" under certain conditions. On the market, Meier is listed in a category ranging from $ 6 to $ 7 million – only the Sharks payroll is already exhausted. The qualified offer to be submitted to Meier in San Jose under the collective agreement is the bare minimum: $ 874,125. For the Appenzeller, however, will not be sustainable.

The problem of GM sharks Doug Wilson? The maximum wage limit (expected to be $ 83 million next season) is almost completely exhausted. According to Karlsson 's signature, the club has nearly 70 million euros for only 15 players. Not only Timo Meier is missing, but also Captain Joe Pavelski or free agents Kevin Labanc and Dylan Gambrell are waiting for offers. And if Joe Thornton crosses his fingers, it will cost an additional $ 7 to $ 8 million to the Sharks.

The long-term contract for Karlsson raises issues not only because of salary. The almost exclusively offensive and unusual defender has often been missing recently due to injury and seems (especially in the harsh playoff climate) to have lost some of its glamor. This spring, Karlsson was home while the Sharks finished the season in the sixth game of the semi-finals in St. Louis. He still hurt himself.