Mike Grier encouraged by Sharks’ resiliency in tough 2023-24 NHL season

Editor's Note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

On Thurday, Sharks general manager Mike Grier addressed reporters during his mid-season availability before the 2024 NHL All-Star break.

Grier touched on a wide range of topics, including the Sharks’ rebuild timeline, the team's trade deadline strategy, what he thinks of head coach David Quinn, Will Smith coming out of college, Filip Bystedt coming over from Sweden, the Barracuda’s performance and keeping Kaapo Kahkonen.

Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.

Mike Grier, on what he’s seen from the San Jose Sharks this season:

"I think the group needs to get credit—especially the leadership group, they rallied together. I think the main thing is that it’s a privilege to be in the NHL every day, and it’s a prideful group. No one likes to go through streaks like that and lose games the way they did, especially early. They’ve been able to stay positive and upbeat through the whole thing, which isn’t easy. They deserve a lot of credit.

"The main thing is that the core group of guys in there are prideful—prideful people, prideful players, and competitive. It’s been really easy for those guys to get down and pack it in and call it a season, but each time they’ve responded. Again, credit to them."