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.

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.