Paul Gackle of The Mercury News: (mailbag) If the San Jose Sharks were to sign Erik Karlsson to an eight-year contract it would likely cost them between $11 and $13 million per season. That would handcuff them a bit for a number of years with regards to the salary cap.
Their play of late has shown that they can be successful without him.
Also needing new contracts are Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton and Timo Meier.
If GM Doug Wilson decides to not re-sign Karlsson, he can use that extra space for his own free agents (Gustav Nyquist) as well as other UFAs.