San Jose Sharks General Manager Mike Grier completed his exit interview for the 24-25 season and detailed his goals for the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Sharks have two first-round picks this season and next, giving Grier some flexibility in improving the roster. Top draft prospects Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa are the two debated players to be selected No. 1.
Matthew Schaefer (@ErieOtters) remains atop NHL Central Scouting’s list of North American skaters, followed by OHL scoring champion Michael Misa (@SpiritHockey) and NCAA freshman James Hagens (@BC_MHockey).
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 15, 2025
Full #NHLDraft rankings: https://t.co/e9iTvRmx1e pic.twitter.com/sLrM8HNma8
“We were kind of fortunate enough last year to be able to pick someone like [Macklin Celebrini]. Every draft is different,” Grier said. “You look at the top of the draft, our top five is probably different than 80% of the league’s top five.”
The Sharks own the NHL’s worst record for the second straight season, giving them the top odds at the No. 1 pick. This also guarantees them a top-three pick no matter what.
“Our scouts have done a good job seeing all these kids. There’s a lot of talent,” Grier said. “I think we feel really good about the player, wherever we end up, where the ping pong balls go. We’re going to get another really good player that’s going to help our group.”
The @NHL has unveiled its official logo for the 2025 Upper Deck #NHLDraft. pic.twitter.com/JkaHytEkst
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 15, 2025
Grier told reporters he won’t be afraid to use the four first-round picks in the next two drafts as ammo to improve the roster.
“It just gives us some ammo to be involved in some things. If players become available, or, like you said, to try and move up [in the draft],” Grier explained. “It’s a pretty valuable thing, and if we use it to draft a player, then it’s someone we will be excited about to add to our cupboard of young players.”
Sharks will at least listen to offers for the No. 1 pick, if they get it
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier did not indicate that he would trade the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, but he said he’d listen to potential offers if they came in.
“I’m not going to say no if someone wants to make a really good offer of established young players. It’s not something I’m going to close the door on,” Grier said. “Last year, I probably shut the door on everything that came my way, but you never know. [If] there’s a Ricky Williams or Herschel Walker type offer, then I think we will listen.”
The San Jose Sharks have selected Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick in the NHL draft! 🦈 pic.twitter.com/9sP8U5eQkg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 28, 2024
One thing to note is that Grier said he received calls on the 2024 No. 1 pick last summer. The Sharks GM says he turned down some lucrative offers.
“I got some good [trade offers]. There were probably some [deals] that were really comparable to [Ricky Williams or Herschel Walker],” Grier said. “As crazy as a couple of them were, we didn’t really think about it for more than 30 seconds.”
Celebrini finished his rookie season with 25 goals and 38 assists. The Sharks’ cornerstone player finished second in rookie goal-scoring and should be nominated for the Calder Trophy.
Read more Sharks Hockey Digest news and stories with the links below! Bookmark the page and follow Sharks Hockey Digest on Twitter @SharksHKYDigest!
