The same could be said about Grier. He never held an GM position or assistant GM role prior to the Sharks hiring him. He was a a prep school coach for a few years, a scout for the Blackhawks for a few years, an assistant coach for the Devils for two years, and then a special advisor to Drury for the Rangers for one year.
And most of the people Grier’s brought in have a personal connection to him; Quinn (BU), Holy (SJ), Weight (EDM), Marchant (EDM), Fitzgerald (worked with his brother in NJ)… then he obviously played with Patty, Joe and Clowe in San Jose.