Sharks' projected roster after Erik Karlsson trade shakes up NHL

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The Sharks made some slight changes to their roster Thursday, acquiring two-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson in a blockbuster trade with the Ottawa Senators. 

San Jose now has sent three players to Ottawa this offseason: Center Chris Tierney and defenseman Dylan DeMelo went in Thursday's trade, and winger Mikkel Boedker was part of the deal that briefly brought in Mike Hoffman before he was traded to the Florida Panthers on the same day. Tierney and Boedker combined to score 77 points last season, so the Sharks will have questions about players' roles up front, even with top center Joe Thornton returning.

So, how might the Sharks' roster shake out? Here's an early crack at how the defensemen and forwards will stack up after Thursday's trade splash. 

Defense

Marc-Edouard Vlasic-Erik Karlsson

Joakim Ryan-Brent Burns

Brenden Dillon-Justin Braun

Radim Simek (extra)

Analysis: Goaltenders Martin Jones and Aaron Dell have to like the look of this group in front of them. As a right-handed shot, Karlsson could slide in alongside Vlasic or second-year pro (and fellow Swede) Ryan. The former pairing would split up the long-time duo of Braun and Vlasic, but that would place 31-year-old Vlasic alongside a player who drives play in a positive direction better than just about any other blueliner. Braun and Vlasic played very difficult minutes together last season, too, and moving a defender like Braun to the third pairing is a luxury that few teams have.

One through six, it's hard to envision a better blue line this season. Simek and Tim Heed will compete for the seventh defensive spot. Simek gets the edge in this projection, in large part because of his handedness. Simek is a lefty, and DeBoer might not want to ask Heed to play on his off side. Plus, with Karlsson and Burns on the same damn team, it's not like they need another quarterback on the power play. 

Forwards

Evander Kane-Joe Thornton-Joe Pavelski

Tomas Hertl-Logan Couture-Kevin Labanc

Joonas Donskoi-Antti Suomela-Timo Meier

Marcus Sorensen-Barclay Goodrow-Melker Karlsson

Dylan Gambrell

Analysis: The top six is pretty straightforward, and largely the same look as the Sharks had in the postseason, save for the return of Thornton. The bottom-six forwards, however, are where things get interesting.

Suomela, 23, led the Finnish league with 60 points last season, and Gambrell had a cup of coffee with the Sharks down the stretch last season after signing his entry-level contract. Both were believed to be competing for the fourth-line center spot, but Tierney's inclusion in Thursday's trade leaves a hole down the middle on the third line. Suomela's scoring pedigree gives him the slight edge in this projection.

There's also the possibility that once-and-future center Hertl moves back to the pivot, should Suomela and/or Gambrell not be deemed ready for the role. Goodrow dabbled down the middle in 2017-18, but he never played center professionally before centering the fourth line last season. He could be an option on the fourth line again. 

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