Sharks' Mike Grier Finally Took A Clear Misstep With Bad Trade

Mike Grier has done a great job with the San Jose Sharks since taking over as the general manager. I was skeptical at the start when he moved out players like Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, and Tomas Hertl while retaining cap on all of them, but then things got much better for the Sharks despite finishing last in the NHL the previous two seasons.

There have been some bad trades by Grier as nobody can go without any blunders, but to take on a 38-year-old Ryan Reaves who played just 35 games in the NHL last season while spending time in the AHL and give away a young d-man in Henry Thrun should have everyone questioning that move.

Yes, the Sharks had to get rid of a left-shot defenseman and Thrun was rumored to be on the trade block, but in his second full season, the 23-year-old put up 12 points in 60 games and played 17:31 after averaging 20 minutes per game the season prior with more space on the back-end. Mario Ferraro is also a trade candidate, but players like Shakir Mukhamadullin and Jack Thompson need spots in the NHL. This doesn't mean that Thrun was worth so little that they actually took on a worse contract to help the Maple Leafs out.

Reaves would have just been buried in the minors again, but instead, he may take up a roster spot on the Sharks and San Jose didn't even get any sort of future asset for Thrun alongside Reaves. Thrun is a capable NHL defenseman that should stick in the NHL. Whether it was with the Sharks next season or now the Maple Leafs, Thrun will be on the NHL roster.

The Sharks absolutely don't look like a team that will make the playoffs next season and in the future, fans better hope Grier doesn't give more young players away for less than nothing.