Sheng Peng
Finally?
We’ve finally reached the week of the 2025 Draft, and I can tell, for some San Jose Sharks fans, the speculation about what the franchise is going to do with the No. 2 pick has been exhausting.
Michael Misa or Anton Frondell?
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier didn’t put that speculation to rest, but he spoke on a wide range of topics in his pre-Draft availability today, sharing his thoughts about Misa and Frondell as players and people, his free agency plans, getting Joe Thornton to sign an actual employment contract with the Sharks, and San Jose’s priorities this off-season.
He was asked specifically about Mitch Marner too.
Here are my takeaways from Grier’s presser.
Trade No. 2?
Grier, as of now, expects to make the second-overall pick on Friday. He’s received trade offers for it, but no doubt that he’s asking for a mint.
“We’ve had some offers for it, and some things to consider. I’m not out there shopping the pick. I’m excited to add another really good player to our pool,” he said. “But when someone calls and presents you with something, you got to listen to it and consider it. So there’s been a few of those scenarios so far, and we’ll see what happens the rest of the week.”
Chances are, Grier will make the selection. It’s been over two decades since the No. 2 pick has been dealt right before the Draft.
For what it’s worth, San Jose Hockey Now checked in with two strong sources recently, one today, both still think the Sharks will go with Misa at No. 2.
Misa or Frondell?
Grier, however, didn’t tip his hand when asked about Misa and Frondell, on and off the ice. The San Jose Sharks interviewed both at the Combine and took Misa out to dinner.
On Misa: “Really nice kid, smart. He knows the game and knows what his strengths and weaknesses are. Really bright. The interview was great. Dinner went really well. Really enjoyed getting to know the personal side of him.
“I think he’s a worker. He’s a serious kid who’s serious about hockey, serious about doing whatever he feels he needs to do to play in the NHL and be successful in NHL. He’s an impressive kid.
“The season spoke for itself. Very talented two-way game, dual threat, shooter, pass or score. Really good on the PK, plays both ends. We obviously saw him a lot with Igor [Chernyshov] there. Talented player and a nice person as well.”
On Frondell: “We had a real good interview with him. Really kind of an outgoing kid. I think he’s detail-oriented. As a personality, kind of excitable, and likes to talk hockey with us. Big kid, he’s physical. Can really shoot the puck.
“Can play center or wing. He’s wants to play the 200-foot game, just a really good player. Last February, when Hagans and Eiserman and those guys were in the tournament in February, I thought he was the best player as an under-ager.
“But then this year, people kind of knock him for his U-18’s performance, but you got to give the kid credit. He went on a long playoff run, won a championship, and literally that night, was on a plane to come over and play with his team [for] Sweden, because he wanted to see that through with his age group.
“So another impressive kid, good hockey player.”
Marner?
Grier was asked directly if the San Jose Sharks would be in on premier free agent Mitch Marner and other top-of-the-market UFAs.
He parried, deflecting, “I’ve been pretty consistent with it, not in any rush to hand out a seven or eight-year contract to someone in their late 20’s or early 30’s. So you guys can kind of take that for how you’d like to.”
Rumor is, however, that Marner is open to shorter-term offers.
To that end, San Jose Hockey Now has heard that Marner is willing to consider the San Jose Sharks. TSN’s Chris Johnston also speculated on Monday, “I would imagine someone like San Jose is going to make an effort to speak with Mitch.”
From what I’ve heard, Grier isn’t lying though: He doesn’t have an appetite to hand out maximum-length contracts.
But that doesn’t exclude them from most free agents, apparently including Marner.
That said, it’s going to be a challenge to sell a last-place team to a very in-demand free agent.
“I don’t think that’s going to be something ultimately that makes the most sense for Marner himself,” Johnston said.
Another possible challenge? The amount of taxes that Marner would have to pay in San Jose, compared to no-tax Nevada or Texas, for example.
Grier, however, doesn’t really buy into that now-popular excuse.
How Will Sharks Get Better?
“We need everything,” Grier said impishly, “you watched the games.”
But he did identify the blueline and goaltending as priorities: “We need to get better on the backend. One, we got to keep the pucks out of our net, for sure. That’s probably priority No. 1. We got to get a goalie to kind of support [Yaroslav Askarov] here. There’s holes up front too.”
Can Dickinson Help?
He was asked in particular about Sam Dickinson, the San Jose Sharks’ No. 11 pick in the 2024 Draft. Dickinson had a banner year, breaking the London Knights’ single-season record for most points by a defenseman, taking home CHL Defenseman of the Year, and winning the Memorial Cup.
“Sam had a dominant year, was great in the playoffs,” Grier said. “I don’t know how much more he has left to prove at the junior level.”
Shark?
“It’s up to him, as it is with all these other young players, same with Chernyshov and Musty and Graf, the guys like this, it’s up to them to put the work in this summer, prepare, train, come in bigger, stronger, faster, and kind of force our hand,” Grier said. “We’ll give them every opportunity, but we’re not just going to hand it to him. He’s got to earn it.”
Jumbo
Grier also spoke extensively about Joe Thornton’s induction into the Hall of Fame.
He’s still hoping that Thornton officially re-joins the San Jose Sharks this summer.
“He’s already basically been doing player development for basically the love of the game. Hopefully, sometime this summer, we can get him on board officially as a development coach,” Grier said, before adding, “Slash Director of Vibes.”