The San Jose Sharks want to gain more assets, and Elliotte Friedman says that Marc-Edouard Vlasic could still get moved.

The San Jose Sharks want to gain more assets, and Elliotte Friedman says that Marc-Edouard Vlasic could still get moved.

On Sportsnet's 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman talked about Mario Ferraro and Vlasic.

"I think what they are basically saying is, we are going to have to do whatever we can to play the let's increase our asset game," Friedman said. "Let's give ourselves more lottery tickets, and find more young players."

According to Friedman, Ferraro's name popped up in trade talks last season. He said that the Carolina Hurricanes attempted to acquire the defenseman.

Vlasic's contract is arguably the worst in the NHL. He has been a healthy scratch in eight of the Sharks' last ten games. 

"I remember when he played on that 2004 Olympic team, he would come through Toronto, and I would go up and talk to him," Friedman said. "He would smile and say, 'It is about time you eastern people recognize me."

Friedman continues to what he sees from the 36-year-old now.

"I'll tell you what the word is on him. He's lost that," Friedman said. "For a long time, he was a guy who was, chip on the shoulder, nobody knows who I am, I don't get the respect I deserve, and I am a hell of a player. For whatever reason, I don't know what it is; he's not the same guy anymore."

Vlasic has averaged 14:06 TOI this season and is -8. He has become a liability in the defensive zone and doesn't seem engaged.

"I think one of the reasons San Jose benches him is because that fire has been quenched," Friedman said. "When you are having a year like you are and you're turning over your team, you can't have that. You can't show your players that if you feel a player isn't competing to a level they can, especially around young players, you can't let that happen."

Vlasic's contract has two years left after this season. He carries a $7 million cap hit. If the Sharks can find a trade partner, they must retain salary. 

"I have no doubt they want to move Vlasic," Friedman continues. "The thing is, is he going to be able to prove to a team that he's 75% or 65% of what he was? Unfortunately, the book on him is that his grind factor, his determination factor, it's not there."

Vlasic has been a stalwart for the Sharks for 18 years, but his time in San Jose seems over. It is only a matter of time before he is traded or bought out after the season. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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