Edited Mar. 9 at 6:09 a.m.
All the good UFAs or players on the market are in their 30s and the cap is skyrocketing. Hertl might have more knee problems and that contract probably won't age well, but Vegas is looking at the next 2-3 years as opposed to just 1 more year with a guy like Buchnevich. In years 4-6 that contract is probably going to suck.
Guentzel: wants to explore his UFA options and wants to get paid 10M until he's 37
Buchnevich: the ask is supposedly 2 1sts. Vegas gave up a former 1st and 2025 1st but they got back 2 third rounders. Hertl gives them more term on a guy who ACTUALLY plays C/LW unlike Buchnevich who is mainly a LW/RW
In the unlikely event that Marchessault leaves, they have Hertl locked up
But as far as 3 years down the road, it's possible that Stephenson will remain healthy, speedy and putting up 50 points consistently at around 5M. Plus he has great chemistry with Stone. While I can see Hertl continuing to have knee problems and So that could be a bigger loss than they realize. Plus Hertl's 15 team trade clause doesn't kick in for another 4 years.
This is a pretty good deal for the Sharks to get out from another brutal contract.
Edit: Hertl's knee problems are about 3 years apart (2016, 2019, late 2023) so I may be overthinking it. His latest surgery is just a clean up to help with soreness that he was playing through.