Mike Grier spoke with the media after the San Jose Sharks acquired Ryan Reaves and Jeff Skinner earlier this week. The Sharks’ general manager has high expectations for both of the acquisitions, but also for the team as a whole this coming season.

Skinner is expected to be a major offensive contributor for the Sharks this coming season. Grier made it clear that he envisions the 33-year-old in their top-six and as a result, he’ll likely see ice time alongside Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, or even Michael Misa this coming season. Throughout his 16 years in the NHL, Skinner has been a consistent offensive threat, with 699 points in 1078 career games.

Last season, Skinner made it to the playoffs for the first time in his career, but didn’t see much playing time for the Edmonton Oilers in the postseason. Grier felt that the veteran forward did well given the circumstances, though.

“I thought he competed really hard. You know, the playoffs are a whole different level of hockey and intensity. I thought he rose to the occasion, and in a couple of games, he was one of their better players up front,” Grier stated. I thought he did very well, and [it’s] not an easy environment, [or] easy team to step in and play, when the expectations were Stanley Cup or bust. I thought he handled himself really well.”

Meanwhile, Reaves was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs with defenseman Henry Thrun heading the other way. While many focus solely on Reaves’ physical contributions, Grier appreciates those assets but sees a lot more in him.

“We thought we could our group needed a little bit of personality, a little bit of size, some toughness, some physicality,” said Grier. “I think one of the underrated things about his game, I think he's he manages the puck really well, and he's really good. He's really good on the forecheck as F1. We're excited to bring his veteran leadership, energy, and his whole package.”

Whenever a team has an abundance of inexperienced, young players, there’s always the concern that older, tougher teams will try to take liberties against them. Grier felt that happened last season, but also noted, “I think overall, I think our group did a pretty good job of sticking out for each other and being there for one another.” He then added, “Having someone like Reavo is definitely a whole takes it to a different level.”

Even though some of the additions this summer, Skinner included, are either in the final year of their contract or signed a one-year deal, Grier didn’t bring them in to flip them at the deadline as he’s done in the past.

“I think these players that were all bought in were bought in to help our group grow and to make us a better team. They weren't targeted with the idea that we're just going to flip them at the deadline," Grier said. Obviously, we'll see how the season goes. If there's an offer that comes in that makes sense and we're not anywhere near the playoffs, it's definitely something to think about then. But these players were bought in with the idea that they're going to help us grow and be here with us throughout the season.”

This off-season, Grier accumulated a glut of left-handed defensemen. As a result, it seemed clear that someone had to go. Thrun was ultimately the odd man out and found himself heading to Toronto. “It's going to be heavy competition here, Grier stated. “At the end of the day, I think this might help Henry out as well.”

As it stands now, Thrun will likely slot in as the Maple Leafs’ seventh defenseman, compared to the Sharks, where he would’ve been either the eighth or ninth option when all was said and done. While some fans may be upset to see Thrun go, as Grier said, it’s best for his career in the long run since he’ll likely get a chance to play sooner rather than later.

Speaking of the blue line, Grier noted that he expects Shakir Mukhamadullin and Sam Dickinson to compete hard for spots this season at training camp. “[We] just looked at the year that Shakir had and the year that Sam had, and just the way Sam even looked at development camp. Even though it's just a short three days, he looks like he's someone who's going to be ready, at least to be pushed for this opportunity up here.”

The Sharks’ general manager then added, “I thought [Dickinson] dominated most of the time [in development camp], so it was a good first step for him and we feel like he's on the right track here.”

While a trip to the playoffs would be a nice surprise for the Sharks, Grier knows that realistically, that may not be in the cards. With that being said, though, he wants the team to take a step forward and not be out of the running by the time we reach 2026. “I guess the goal would be, the last couple of years, we've basically been out of it by New Year. If we're in March, and we're still kind of hanging around, then that would be a good thing.”

Ultimately, Grier’s goal for the team and his new acquisitions is clear. He wants them to play meaningful games in the spring, even if they don’t make it to the postseason when all is said and done. With that mindset, it seems the Sharks are officially starting to move out of their rebuilding phase.

Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Report: Former Sharks Forward Signs With CSKA In The KHL Former San Jose Sharks forward Nikolai Kovalenko's time in the NHL appears to be over for the time being. The 25-year-old winger has reportedly signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Sharks' Ryan Reaves Excited For New Opportunity In San Jose The San Jose Sharks acquired Ryan Reaves from the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> in exchange for Henry Thrun. While the move was a bit perplexing to <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-traded-ryan-reaves-to-the-sharks-for-defenseman-henry-thrun">both fan bases </a>at first, especially for Sharks fans, it helped clear an obvious logjam and added some needed toughness to the forward group.

BREAKING: Sharks Sign Veteran Forward Jeff Skinner The San Jose Sharks have signed veteran forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million contract.