After the San Jose Sharks acquired Ryan Reaves and signed Jeff Skinner, General Manager Mike Grier met with the media to explain his reasons.
While losing Thrun certainly was a tough move for the Sharks, Grier confirmed that it came down to a numbers game. The Sharks GM also pointed out how well prospects Shakir Mukhamadullin and Sam Dickinson performed last season.
“We looked at the guys we brought in and just looked at the year that Shakir [Mukhamadullin] had and the year that Sam [Dickinson] had,” Grier said. “Even [how Sam] 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.”
When it comes to Ryan Reaves, Grier told reporters that he felt the San Jose Sharks needed someone of his style.
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Grier, on impact that Reaves has on a locker room and bench: “He makes everybody feel a little taller.”— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 11, 2025
Reaves himself held an availability today and praised the Sharks tremendously for their future.
“I think the Sharks have some of the best young superstars in the league,” Reaves said. “I think they drafted really well.”
Reaves spent time with Barclay Goodrow and Grier with the New York Rangers. Grier told reporters that he spoke with Goodrow about possibly adding the enforcer. Goodrow endorsed the San Jose Sharks’ move to add Reaves.
Jeff Skinner set to become one of the Sharks’ top scoring options
Jeff Skinner is a move that Sharks GM Mike Grier has high hopes for. Grier expects the veteran scorer to play in the top-six forwards. He felt his season with Edmonton didn’t provide him with optimal ice time opportunities to make an impact.
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“Adding someone like Jeff, who can play in our top six, who’s been a proven goal scorer throughout his whole career,” Grier said. “Even this year, with no power-play time and not a ton of ice time, he scored 16 goals. His track record is pretty proven, and we needed someone to play in that top six who could help us score.”
The San Jose Sharks GM is hoping for a similar impact that Tyler Toffoli brought to his team last season.
“Hopefully, he can have the same type of effect that [Toffoli] had,” Grier said. “I think by all accounts, [he’s a] really good pro, good human being, and has lots of character. Hopefully, some of that will rub off on our young players as well.”
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