Physicality

You would have to pay to offload any of those two players at full cap hit... I guess Jack Drury can go **** himself... you named it "sandpaper" and the only full sandpaper guy you got is Keegan Koleslaw, a 4th liner, that you put on the 3rd line. lol

Burns isn't so bad for his cap hit but he just doesn't fit with what the Hurricanes need in a first pairing defensemen. I mean it was more about physicality then sandpaper and trying to balance skill and physicality. Kulikov, Montour and Kolesar are all very physical while also being able to produce offense.

The Sharks would take Burns back at full cap hit for free.

I just disagree. maybe kotka cuz the term but plenty of teams that are retooling or rebuilding that may take him for free or even pay a mid-late pick for.
Burns is still a solid Dman, overpaid a bit maybe but there should be a team or 2 that needs to reach the cap floor or that wants to add a RD without having to give anything up and would take him for free.

Especially if they get their retention slot back.