With the San Jose Sharks season being what it is, the season's goal was to continue developing young talent. After the State of the Sharks event, GM Mike Grier spoke to the media to discuss many topics, including development.
With the San Jose Sharks season being what it is, the season's goal was to continue developing young talent. After the State of the Sharks event, GM Mike Grier spoke to the media to discuss many topics, including development.
With the San Jose Sharks season being what it is, the season's goal was to continue developing young talent. After the State of the Sharks event, GM Mike Grier spoke to the media to discuss many topics, including development.
It is no secret the San Jose Barracuda isn't having a good season. They sit in last place in the Pacific Division in the AHL with a record of 12-20-7.
"I think we're all probably a little bit disappointed with Barracuda," Grier told the Media.
While the record speaks for itself, Grier clarifies why the organization thinks they have struggled.
"We've taken their first line center from them in [Ryan Carpenter]," Grier said. "Carpy, up here, is a really good fourth-line defensive player. In the American League, he's a point-a-game offensive player. Justin Bailey was probably their top forward. So we've taken two key offensive cogs from their team, which has hurt them,"
But there is more than just those two players. Grier explains that the defense core is young.
"We're playing young D down there, which is kind of the balance that [Todd Marchant] talked about [with the balance] of development and winning down there," Grier explained. "We're playing a real young D core, and in that league, teams that are successful seem to be a little bit more veteran."
THN asked Grier felt that maybe a change of voice was needed behind the bench of the Barracuda.
"I think we're happy with the job John McCarthy and his staff are doing. They're working hard," Grier said. "He's been in the organization a long time. He's wearing it. It means so much to him. He puts in a ton of work along with his staff. Like I said, it's been a bit strange with all the circumstances that have gone against him. So hopefully, the win last night can kind of be a stepping stone to a better second half, and they can try and make a run [to] sneak into the playoffs and have that experience."
Grier also discussed the development plan for Will Smith and when to expect Filip Bystedt to come to North America.
That's a conversation I'll have with Will and his agent. [We will] sit down in a room and try and figure out what's best for him and where he's at in his development," Grier said about Will Smith turning pro. "He's had a good freshman season. He's got a big second half for him. He's a Boston kid. He's dreamed about playing in the Beanpot. He's got that in a couple of weeks, then the Hockey East tournament and NCAA Tournament. I know he's got he's got plans to try and win it all. After that, we'll talk and see how he's feeling about his game and how he feels about himself physically."
As for Filip Bystedt, getting him to North America might be a bit more tricky before the end of this season. Grier says there could be some issues with the Swedish Hockey Federation, something other teams deal with in similar cases.
"There are some tricky rules with the Swedish Federation, so I don't know if he will get over here when his season is done with the World Championships; if he's in consideration for that, it makes it kind of difficult to happen," Grier explained. "We're excited to have him over here next year full time. I think he was happy to keep developing back home in Sweden. I think it's time for him to come over to North America. I think he enjoys playing on the smaller rink. He's one of the rare Europeans who, I think, is looking forward to being on the smaller rink. We're excited to have him over here."
Filip Bystedt could be on the same path that William Eklund took. Eklund spent a year in Sweden before making the transition to North America. Bystedt was drafted the year prior, so he is taking two years of development at home in Sweden.
Grier spoke a lot about the plan of the rebuild for the Sharks. That can be found here:
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