San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier told reporters today that former NHLer Marco Sturm was a candidate for the Sharks head coaching position and the team did engage in conversations with Sturm but added that the 45-year-old was not a finalist for the position (as per Sharks writer Curtis Pashelka).
The veteran of 938 NHL games spent eight seasons with the Sharks from 1997 to 2005 and was dealt to the Boston Bruins as part of the Joe Thornton trade in November 2005. He last played in the NHL in April of 2012 and is the current head coach of the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. Sturm also spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings as an assistant coach from 2018 to 2022
In other San Jose Sharks notes:
- Mike Grier told reporters that he is not looking at moving veteran forward Logan Couture (as per Max Miller of The Hockey News). Grier added that Couture is the kind of person he wants around the Sharks younger players. Even if Grier wanted to trade Couture, it would be a difficult move to make as Couture has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $8MM and is coming off an injury-riddled season in which he played just six games and tallied a single assist. Couture also holds a modified no-trade clause that allows him to submit a list of just three teams he would accept a trade to.
- Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now tweeted that Sharks general manager Mike Grier will meet with prospective first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini’s family and representation after the NHL Entry Draft to talk about whether or not the youngster will turn pro or remain in college for next season. Grier then joked with reporters about showing his hand 11 days before the draft. Miller reported ten days ago that Celebrini had yet to make up his mind about turning pro, but his decision will have a big impact on how the Sharks approach this offseason and whether or not to make immediate improvements to the roster or continue to develop young players and preach patience.
Sturm should count his lucky star for evading Grier’s Sharks circus. While Blackhawks mgmt are intentionally playing possum, Grier and Co. are not accidental idiots. Settle in for a lengthy rebuild, San Jose. The ghost of the California Golden Seals live on!
I really don’t get the Mike Grier hate. He walked into a complete dumpster fire and has turned it into Eklund, Smith, and soon to be Celebrini + whoever they draft at #14.
Were we really expecting playoff hockey in San Jose at this point?
He’s turned nothing. Just drafted as expected and botched a bunch of trades. I have nothing against Greir as a person but as a GM hes taken the team backward when I thought they couldn’t get worse.
Mike Grier would not be facing this same constant negativity if he was white. Simple as. There’s always gonna be those mediocre individuals that see every non-white, non-straight or non-male hire as someone who cheated the system by being different. Look no further than comment section any team that observes Pride Month or – gasp! – rumours on this very site that a men’s hockey team might hire a WOMAN.
The reverse of that is actually closer to the truth. But virtue signaling is so much fun!
I’m judging the results & team that he built, just as I gave my opinion on Jim Benning’s horrible term. Has nothing to do on ethnic or color of his skin. I’m sure he wants his record to stand up to scrutiny- maybe not us blabbing armchair critics but – and yes it’s still early in his career as Sharks GM. Just so far nothing much is impressive (& stating he got them Celebrini is damning him with faint praise – hopefully it works out)
Curious about what trades you think he’s “botched”. I feel like he’s done a great job clearing out large contracts and still getting some decent return.
The sharks were in full on tank mode this year and Grier has done exactly what a GM should do during a rebuild. Now he just struck gold getting the 1st pick in seemingly a great year to have it.
They’re right smack in the middle of the rebuild and if things go right, they’ll be at least sniffing the postseason in a few years
I’d challenge anyone to point out a bad trade in this list. A year+ later, it’s looking like the Meier trade was an A+ transaction for GMMG.
link to capfriendly.com
Grier’s doing just fine. The franchise was in a transitional phase after 10-12 years of the same core roster when he took over and now they’re in the asset collection phase. Eklund is their future captain, Celebrini is their next star, and they’re deep with prospects 1-3 years away from full time roles, who are currently playing well in the AHL or minors. If a few of them hit, they’ll be competitive for the future. The market and the surrounding talent will eventually attract star players again and the Sharks will be up and running again.
He’s doing the right thing now according to reports by trying to surround the young core with quality veterans on short term deals. They have the space for Atkinson and it makes sense for them to pursue him.
Yikes… there are still people defending the Hertl trade. No accounting for homerism I guess. Also so sad that people hide behind making this a race debate. Just sad really and highlights your own bigotry that you’d even take it there.
For those that think racism, and bigotry have nothing to do with at least some, if not most of the negativity towards Mike Grier. Perhaps join the real world and come out from your alternate reality low on facts bubble. Denialism and misinformed citizens are threatening the health of American democracy and this country.