The Sharks skated at their practice rink Tuesday. The clock ticked. Less than a week until Message Monday.

That’s not the NHL trade deadline’s official name. But that’s definitely what it is.

By Monday at noon Pacific time, all teams in the league will send messages to their players, coaches, fans and opponents. The Sharks’ message is going to be especially telling.

Seldom over the past decade have our beloved Los Tiburones reached the deadline in their current state, walking the tightrope in regard to a playoff spot. So what does general manager Doug Wilson do on Message Monday? Does he deal away veterans who can become free agents this summer, to get something for them? Does he acquire draft picks? Does he pick up assets?

What message does he send?

“The message has been sent,” Wilson said Tuesday when that question was asked.

This was his way of stressing that the Sharks players should already know what will happen. Except I am not certain that’s true.

Players might not be on any more of an edge than before any trade deadline. But I didn’t sense they have any firm idea what to expect Monday.

“That’s not up to me,” Patrick Marleau said. “I’m paid to play. I try not to do other people’s jobs.”

“Players, we can just play,” affirmed Joe Pavelski. “Obviously, I think we’re trying to improve our team, no matter what moves we make.”

But see, there’s the catch. Does the “improve” part mean in the short term or the long term? Because that’s what this Monday should truly decide. Do you make moves based on making the Sharks a better team the rest of this season, or making them better in 2016-17?

Wilson insists he has been clear in outlining that this season was always going to be a transitional one for the Sharks, with an emphasis on the team becoming younger and undergoing a sort of rebuild-on-the-fly. At the same time, Wilson has said the current roster is good enough to make the playoffs.

So. Given all that, here are the various scenarios that could happen Monday, the messages that would be sent and the likelihood of it happening:﻿

Scenario 1

Move: Sharks give up young talent or draft picks to acquire a veteran who is about to become an unrestricted free agent — i.e., a “rental player” — to help the team secure a playoff spot and give them a better chance to win in the playoffs.

Message: Don’t you dare count us out in March, April or May.

Likelihood: Slim to none. It’s the one thing about which Wilson has been very clear, dating to last summer. He hasn’t had much luck with such deals, anyway. In 2007 and 2008, Wilson gave up first-round picks for Bill Guerin, Craig Rivet and Brian Campbell. Those picks became David Perron, Max Pacioretty and Tyler Ennis. All three became solid NHL contributors for their teams. And only Rivet played more than 20 regular season games with the Sharks.

Scenario 2

Move: Wilson deals away his most trade-likely asset, goalie Antti Niemi, who becomes a free agent this summer and the Sharks have shown no interest in signing to an extension. So trying to get a high draft pick or talented young player for him would make some sense.

Message: We are not exactly giving up in the playoff chase but … well, we are not exactly not giving up, either. Early tee times very possible.

Likelihood: A little better than 50 percent, which wouldn’t please the dressing room. Niemi is goofily inconsistent but has proved he can be a postseason winner. The Sharks would play hard for Niemi’s backup, Alex Stalock. But losing Niemi would be deflating and unfair to the players and coaching staff. Caveat: If as part of the deal, Wilson acquires a temporary veteran goalie of Niemi’s caliber, it might ameliorate any sour feelings.

Scenario 3

Move: Whether or not Niemi is traded, Wilson deals away one or more of the midlevel veteran players whose contracts are also expiring. That would include defenseman Scott Hannan, or forwards Tyler Kennedy and James Sheppard. In return, the Sharks receive more draft picks or prospects.

Message: We may say we can still make the playoffs. But we are not really planning to do so.

Likelihood: Can’t imagine Wilson would ship away all of these veterans, if only because he might not find any buyers. But don’t be surprised if one of the above Sharks is gone.

Scenario 4

Move: No moves.

Message: We’re giving our current roster a chance to gut it out and reach the postseason. Let’s go.

Likelihood: Very good. If you peel back Wilson’s sometimes-need-clarifying comments about the Sharks “rebuild,” he seems to be telling us that he wants to be in position for a big move at some point. The Sharks are going to be in a favorable salary cap position — they’re already $6 million under — and if Wilson accumulates enough draft picks, he might be able to swing a deal for a real prime time player this summer or next season. The Joe Thornton deal in 2005 came out of nowhere, remember.

Perhaps here’s a clue: When Wilson was asked Tuesday to describe his definition of a “successful trade deadline day” for the Sharks, he had to stop and think a bit. Then he basically said it would be not allowing emotion or impulse to override the overall long term franchise game plan — although of course, sticking with that plan could take many forms.

On Message Monday, we’ll know which form the Sharks select. And where they’re going.

Contact Mark Purdy at mpurdy@mercurynews.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/MercPurdy.