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I don't think Mike Grier is going to have a job next year.

gary559

Registered User
Oct 28, 2023
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If the sharks don't make the playoffs, or at least compete for a position. Two dead last finishes are an accomplishment on the boards but in the real world, it's an embarrassment. I think they have the tools and it's going to be time to stand and deliver. Another bottom 5 finish isn't going to cut it. He's my pick for GM on the hottest seat going in to next season.
 
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I disagree. 3 of their top 4 scorers this season were 21 and under and are only going to get better. They also acquired a young, potential franchise goalie this season and will add another great prospect to their franchise this season. I think they are building a great core to move forward with. They can certainly look to add some solid veteran players to help support their young core but overall I think they are doing the right thing long term in building a strong team for the future.
 
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I think it’s clear the Sharks won’t be competitive next year without some major off-season pickups, and I feel like Sharks ownership has historically given management a pretty long leash. If they get Schaefer and he hits the ground running then it’s possible there will be real pressure to look competitive two years from now, but even then I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave him a year before getting to the show which would push the timeline back further.

If they don’t get Schaefer, forget about it. Fixing the Sharks league-worst defense is a two/three year process at the most optimistic without a Schaefer-shaped package falling out of the sky.
 
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gary559 said:
If the sharks don't make the playoffs, or at least compete for a position. Two dead last finishes are an accomplishment on the boards but in the real world, it's an embarrassment. I think they have the tools and it's going to be time to stand and deliver. Another bottom 5 finish isn't going to cut it. He's my pick for GM on the hottest seat going in to next season.
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So after being a contender for 10-15 years, an aging team, they started their rebuild, hired Grier, and you think that Grier will get fired after doing exactly what they'd wanted him to do: Oversee a rebuild?
 
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ItWasJustified said:
So after being a contender for 10-15 years, an aging team, they started their rebuild, hired Grier, and you think that Grier will get fired after doing exactly what they'd wanted him to do: Oversee a rebuild?
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I'm saying that after 2 dead last places you need to start figuring it out unless you wanna be the buffalo sabers 2.0. I like their rebuild but this next season is going to be the test.
 
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Usually it depends on whether ownership understands the GM's proposed timeline. Most GMs will get a 4-5 year leash depending on how long their contracts are. Grier's entering Year 4, so there'll probably be expectations to show improvement but I don't know if his seat will be hot per se but I could understand the owner being disappointed with another bottom five finish in 2025-26.

Dean Lombardi being hired by LA in 2006 came to mind.

2005-06: Kings (89 points) -- Dave Taylor fired, Lombardi hired
2006-07: Kings (68 points)
2007-08: Kings (71 points)
2008-09: Kings (79 points)
2009-10: Kings (101 points)
2010-11: Kings (98 points)

Lombardi inherited a better situation than Grier did, so I wouldn't expect the same Year 4 improvement. But I do recall Bob McKenzie saying LA received a credible offer for the Drew Doughty pick in 2008. Lombardi asked his ownership if they wanted to make the playoffs that year or were okay with the slower rebuild. Ownership gave its blessing that the playoffs weren't mandatory in 2008-09.

Sharks have been bad by design so I'd have to imagine ownership understands that. If you're bad by accident that's usually when things get dicey for the GM (ie, Ray Shero and the 2019-20 Devils).
 
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Bear of Bad News said:
I'm very confused by your thread title.

You don't think Grier will have a job next year....if the Sharks aren't competitive for the playoffs...next year?
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I think he meant calendar year and not season, so it makes sense. If the Sharks don’t make the playoffs next year then he’s fired next year. Not that I agree with any of it.
 
I don't think he has to make the playoffs, but there no doubt has to be progression and improvement in the standings. if the Sharks are bottom 3, I could see him getting fired.

My expectations would be for the Sharks to be about 22nd-25th in the league standing next year.
 
gary559 said:
If the sharks don't make the playoffs, or at least compete for a position. Two dead last finishes are an accomplishment on the boards but in the real world, it's an embarrassment. I think they have the tools and it's going to be time to stand and deliver. Another bottom 5 finish isn't going to cut it. He's my pick for GM on the hottest seat going in to next season.
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I do not think standings will dictate Grier's job for 26/27 season. Yes, SJ would have finished last in b2b years with a paltry 47 and 52 points. That isn't good. And if they finish bottom 3 in 25/26, I am not sure how safe the HC will be. He might survive the 2026 off-season, but would need a good start to 26/27 and not pace to be another bottom 3 finish by US Thanksgiving to keep his job.

But, a lot depends on the develop of young players. Eklund, Cellibrini, Smith, Muk, Askarov, etc. If they progress well, I think Grier will survive another season. If a couple of them stall, then he could be on the hotseat.

I don't think Grier would be in a position to hire his 3rd HC without some real movement up the standings, like what Ana did going from 59 to 80 points this past season.

SJ ownership will have to decide whether Grier is the guy to transition them from asset accumulation to team building. Because, you don't want a guy on the preverbal hotseat making big time decisions.
 
He'll have a job.
The hardest job for any GM, proven time and time again, is coming out of a rebuild/scorched earth.... he hasn't even started that ascension yet.

It's easy to demolish a roster, have 50 point seasons and draft high... the hard part is putting together the pieces to get yourself out of that cycle. That's what separates the teams that end up in the infinity loop of rebuilding/retooling and those that go on to become contenders.

He doesn't have to make the playoffs next year, but you'd want to see some small-step improvements from being a sub 60 point team. If he can get the team into the 35-38 win area that would be a big success in my opinion. My fear is that San Jose is going to be stuck in neutral for a long time; they sell everything not nailed down, and while that looks good on paper, it's hard to make the next steps when any veteran worth a pick is shipped out.

That defensive group will be the limitation on them doing anything. That's a dumpster fire if I've ever seen one.
 
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