Grier declined to talk about specific players, but like Sharks owner Hasso Plattner, team president Jonathan Becher and assistant GM Joe Will stated after Doug Wilson stepped down as GM after 19 seasons on April 7, he said he doesn't believe the Sharks need to start over from scratch and conduct a complete rebuild.
But Grier acknowledged there are some obstacles to overcome, including trying to create flexibility under the $82.5 million salary cap next season. Eight players can become restricted free agents, including defenseman Mario Ferraro and forwards John Leonard and Jonathan Dahlen.
"We're not looking to tear this down, like Arizona (Coyotes) or some teams have done in the past," Grier said. "Yes, there are some challenges with the (NHL) salary cap, but I think the majority of the League is dealing with the flat cap and they have the [same] issue. So for us, we're not looking to rebuild ... there are a lot of 'R' words you could use.
"For us, there might be a few bumps in the road ahead and we might have to step back a little bit to go forward, but we're going to try and get better and try to make the roster better."
A former forward who played 14 seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Sharks and Buffalo Sabres before retiring in 2011, Grier worked this season as hockey operations adviser for the New York Rangers. The 47-year-old also was a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks from 2014-2018 and an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils for two seasons (2018-2020).
So, Grier is well prepared for the job. But with the draft and free agency he will lean on Will, who was acting as GM since Wilson went on medical leave Nov. 26, and the Sharks scouting staff.
"I think Joe has done an excellent job with both our amateur and pro scouts, keeping them on task, and those guys have been busy putting in the work," Grier said. "So, my job now is to go out there and listen to what they have to say and maybe make a few suggestions here or there. … Then, we've got free agency coming up. We'll have to dig into that. I think Joe and I have already started on that a little bit."
Grier said he and Will have also already put together a list of potential coaching candidates and they plan to conduct a thorough search, but that might take a back seat initially.
"We've got to get into the draft and free agency," Grier said. "Those things are taking priority so we can get the players we would like or try to get the players we would like and start building our prospect pool back up. So, I don't have a timetable on the coach, but it's definitely something, probably starting today. We have the list together. We'll start reaching out and trying to make contact with the people we'd like to speak with."
