The director general of San Jose Sharks, Mike Grier, made two measurements on the day of the deadline for trade, in particular by sending Fabian Zetterlund to the Senators of Ottawa.
When Grier met the media, he was honest. He told journalists that he had not entered the deadline thinking about the exchange of Zetterlund or defender Jake Walman. Walman was treated at the Edmonton Oilers late Thursday evening / Friday morning.
“I did not enter this deadline thinking of trading [Zetterlund] Or [Walman]”Said Grier.” It was a difficult business for both parties. It was good to work with Stevie [Staios] above. It probably took so long because of what we think of Fabian and what they felt about Zack [Ostapchuk]. “”
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Grier also exchanged Luke Kunin to the Blue Jackets Columbus for a 4th round choice in 2025.
Zetterlund was a limited free agent pending with arbitration rights this offseason. Grier confirmed that the contractual talks between the Sharks and the Zetterlund camp started at the start of the season, but took a rear seat during.
The Zetterlund camp reached conversations in one week, but Grier said that negotiations were not the reason for the agreement.
“No, the contract was not really part of this decision. I think that earlier in the year, we approached them with the stadium of what we thought. They decided that they simply did not want distractions to manage contracts in season. A week ago,” said Grier. “It was more of the construction of alignment and things like that. Where we see things adapting, it is a short -term pain for our group.”
Praise of Grier about Zack Ostapchuk several times. Grier likes the type of player he brings to programming. #Sjsharks
– Max Miller (@real_max_miller) March 7, 2025
The director general told journalists that the team scouts were at the top of the 21 -year -old striker Zack Ostapchuk. They consider him a center and want to build the future of Sharks with strong players in the middle.
At 6’3, the attacker divided time between AHL and NHL this season. In 43 NHL games this season, Ostapchuk has a goal and three assists. In 15 AHL games, he scored two goals and nine assists.
Grier stressed that the main reason he concluded this agreement is where he sees the list of Sharks in the future.
“You can’t just have all the famous Macklin and Will Smith. You are not going to win. I think it’s obvious enough for most people who have been in the game,” said Grier. “You need all types of players, all types of characters, to win in this game.”
Sharks have been playing their first home game since the 4 nations break against New York Islanders on Saturday.
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