The Phantom Call

Oh, Mike Grier, you sly dog. The San Jose Sharks’ GM has been playing chess while the rest of the NHL plays checkers—or so we thought. After pulling off some rebuild magic in his tenure, Grier’s latest move, trading Mikael Granlund to the Dallas Stars on February 1, 2025, has left Sharks fans scratching their heads and wondering: Did he just fumble the bag? With Granlund tearing it up at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the trade’s timing feels like selling a stock right before it moons. And it begs the million-dollar question: How long does Grier plan to keep this rebuild party going?

Let’s start with the fresh wound. Granlund, the Sharks’ Finnish maestro, was shipped off to Dallas with defenseman Cody Ceci for a 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected) and a 2026 third-round pick. On paper, it’s not a terrible return—Grier’s got a knack for squeezing value out of trades—but the timing? Oof. Granlund was coming off a dazzling performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off, held from February 12-20, 2025, where he was Finland’s top scorer with three goals and an assist in three games. He sniped a gorgeous overtime winner against Sweden on February 15, roofing the puck five-hole on Linus Ullmark like it was a casual Tuesday. Then, against Canada on February 17, he scored twice in a 23-second span late in the third, nearly sparking a comeback in a 5-3 loss. The guy was a one-man highlight reel, finishing with a team-high three goals and proving he’s still got that 2011 lacrosse-move swagger. Trading him right before he showcased that on the international stage feels like Grier sold his Tesla stock in 2010.

Now, let’s give Grier his flowers—because he’s earned them. Since taking the helm in July 2022, he’s turned the Sharks’ roster into a lemonade stand after inheriting a pile of lemons. The Erik Karlsson trade in August 2023? A masterstroke. Grier flipped a bloated contract into Granlund, a first-round pick (that became David Edstrom), and cap space, all while watching Karlsson shine elsewhere. Trading Tomas Hertl to Vegas at the 2024 deadline? Gutsy, but it netted a 2025 first-rounder and prospects David Edstrom (again) and Daniil Gushchin. Grier’s been stockpiling assets like a doomsday prepper, and the Sharks’ prospect pool—headlined by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith—looks promising. He’s even kept the team semi-watchable this season, with Celebrini dazzling as a rookie despite the Sharks’ 36-point basement-dweller status as of late January. Grier’s rebuild resume is solid—until this Granlund gaffe.

So, what’s the deal, Mike? Granlund was the Sharks’ leading scorer with 44 points in 51 games before the trade, a pending UFA who was logging 20:52 per night and mentoring the kids like a hockey Yoda. He led all Sharks forwards in overall, power-play, and shorthanded ice time—only Jack Eichel matched that versatility league-wide. Sure, the return (a first and a third) fits the rebuild mold, but losing Granlund’s on-ice production and off-ice leadership midseason feels like pulling the plug on your Wi-Fi during a Netflix binge. Grier himself admitted, “I don’t know if we can replace [his leadership] for the rest of the season,” which is about as comforting as a “low battery” warning at 1% with no charger in sight.

This brings us to the big, juicy question: How long does Grier plan to drag out this rebuild? It’s been two and a half years since he took over, and the Sharks are still the NHL’s resident punching bag. The prospect pipeline is filling up, but Celebrini and Smith can’t carry a team alone—especially not with Logan Couture’s injury saga (six games in two years) and no clear replacement for Granlund’s two-way grit. Grier’s comments on the trade were vague: “We’re trying to make the team better next year and into the future.” Cool, cool, but “into the future” could mean 2026, 2028, or when flying cars are a thing. Sharks fans deserve a timeline—preferably one that doesn’t end with, “And then we’ll see what happens.”

In fairness, Grier’s not wrong that a first-round pick could land a gem. The Sharks have no salary retention spots left, so moving Granlund’s $5 million cap hit without eating salary is a small victory. Dallas met his asking price, and he took it. But watching Granlund thrive in Dallas—he’s already got four assists in four games as of February 23—while the Sharks limp toward March 7’s trade deadline stings like a paper cut doused in lemon juice. Did Grier jump the gun, or is this another long-game genius move we’ll praise in hindsight?

For now, it’s a head-scratcher. Grier’s past turnarounds suggest he’s got a plan, but the Granlund trade feels like a rare misstep from a guy who’s usually three steps ahead. Sharks fans are left wondering if this rebuild is a sprint, a marathon, or a never-ending loop of “one more year.” Hey, Mike, how about a hint? Drop a cryptic tweet or something—give us a light at the end of this teal tunnel! Until then, we’ll just watch Granlund light up Dallas and pray Grier’s got an ace up his sleeve.