What happened: San Jose's aggressive offseason has locked in long-term money for several veterans. By 2030-31, the Sharks are projected to pay a combined $30 million to a 35-year-old Mason Marchment, a 35-year-old Kiefer Sherwood, a 35-year-old Darnell Nurse, and a 36-year-old Jacob Trouba. Each of those contracts carries some form of a no-trade clause.
Why it matters: The commitments matter because they concentrate a large share of the payroll in players who will be in their mid-to-late 30s, limiting future roster flexibility. Those four deals currently account for roughly 29% of the salary cap. The no-trade protection removes the club's easiest escape hatch if any of the contracts age poorly.
By the numbers: Projected 2030-31 combined salary: ~$30 million across Marchment (35), Sherwood (35), Nurse (35) and Trouba (36). Current share of the salary cap: about 29%. All four contracts include no-trade protection.
What to watch: Watch how San Jose structures the rest of its roster around these commitments and whether cap growth eases the long-term burden. Cap projections this far out remain unreliable.