San Jose Sharks: What other moves can be made this offseason?

The San Jose Sharks have had quite the eventful offseason so far, but it isn’t over yet. Here’s everything else that can and should be done this summer.

The San Jose Sharks have already experienced some major turnover this offseason, but general manager Doug Wilson has done an excellent job of managing contracts and keeping most of the team’s core together.

But their work is far from over just yet.

After re-signing restricted free agent Kevin Labanc to a mere one-year, $1 million contract on Monday, the Sharks likely made their final major move of the offseason. Labanc’s contract is an incredible bargain for one of the best young, upcoming players in the league.

Even after totaling 56 points last season and 96 points over the past two, Labanc is clearly betting on himself to have another strong showing this year. Given the departures of Joe Pavelski and Gustav Nyquist, Labanc shouldn’t have any shortage of opportunities next season.

But now that Labanc is locked up, what else is left to be done?

The Sharks now have somewhere in the vicinity of $5.3 million left in cap space, per CapFriendly. Labanc’s cheap contract should allow San Jose to make some more moves comfortably that they may have not been able to before.

Essentially, they have a bit more breathing room now.

The first — and possibly next — move that will be made is the re-signing of Joe Thornton. Thornton has stated his desire to play again next season and Wilson has made it clear that this is pretty much a when, not if scenario.

Expect Thornton to be brought back on a very cheap deal, likely close to if not at the minimum.

Aside from Thornton, the Sharks also have five restricted free agents that they extended qualifying offers to that remain unsigned. The two most prominent of these are depth centers Dylan Gambrell and Antti Suomela.

Both Gambrell and Suomela split time between the AHL and NHL last season but showed enough that the Sharks will likely try to keep them around for at least the time being.

Especially Gambrell who played well down the stretch and in the postseason — enough to perhaps earn him a full-time role as the team’s fourth-line center next season.

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The other three restricted free agents who the Sharks extended qualifying offers to are center Maxim Letunov and defensemen Nick DeSimone and Kyle Wood. While none are expected to play much of a role — if any — next season, the Sharks will likely bring them all back for added AHL depth.

Then there are the ever-present rumors surrounding the possible return of Patrick Marleau. After being bought out of his contract by the Carolina Hurricanes, Marleau remains an unrestricted free agent.

The all-time franchise leader in goals, points, and games played, Marleau has been open about his desire to return to San Jose. But the Sharks have remained uncommitted to a potential reunion.

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Following Labanc’s cheap deal, there should be enough room to bring him back if the desire is there. But the Sharks could opt to pass on the aging Marleau and continue to develop their younger players even with the additional cap space.

Finally, it isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility that the Sharks add an experienced player that is still left in free agency or through a trade with their extra cap space. But it’s more likely that San Jose gives their top prospects an opportunity to impress and make the team in training camp.

Players like Alexander True and Jayden Halbgewachs impressed last season down with the Barracuda and could be candidates to make the roster this fall. Elsewhere, junior hockey standouts Joachim Blichfeld, Sasha Chmelevski, and Ivan Chekhovich could also be given some looks.

The Sharks may have already done all of the heavy lifting, but their work isn’t done yet. Even with an eye on training camp, Wilson and the Sharks have a few more moves to be made before their offseason is complete.