Grier remembers being shocked that Dickinson fell to Sharks at No. 11 originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
The Sharks knew all along who they were going to select number 1 overallbut general manager Mike Grier was surprised by defender Sam Dickinson be available when San Jose entered the clock with choice #11 in the 2024 NHL Draft.
After negotiating of the 14th overall pick – the selection the Sharks received from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Erik Karlsson Trade – at No. 11 the day before the draft, there were a handful of prospects that San Jose targeted with the aggressive move to that range, never expecting Dickinson to fall into their lap.
During an exclusive interview with NBC Sports California’s Brodie Brazil, Grier explained the logic behind the Sharks’ pre-draft trade and why San Jose is so happy to land a prospect of Dickinson’s caliber.
“We had a group of players in mind that we didn’t think would be available in the [pick No. 14] who we thought were impact players,” Grier told Brasil. “I never thought, when we came up, that Sam [Dickinson] would be there. As the round progressed, we were getting super happy, you want the clock to go faster and faster.
“You could see it coming, and the opportunity to add a defenseman like that, it’s pretty special.”
Dickinson – who has spent the last two seasons playing alongside Sharks Prospect, Kasper Halttunen to the OHL’s London Knights – revealed how excited he is to join the franchise.
The standout defenseman explained that although he had never been to California, Halttunen’s immense praise for San Jose and the Sharks organization made him excited to embark on his journey to the Bay.
“I think being in London, having Kasper Halttunen there and hearing him praise the Sharks and the organization, the San Jose area is really unbelievable.
“I couldn’t be more excited.”
Sam Dickinson is eager to join the Sharks organization after Kasper Halttunen’s high praise for San Jose pic.twitter.com/sAYrillF8f
– Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) June 29, 2024
While selecting Macklin Celebrini will get most of the spotlight, the Sharks adding Dickinson to their growing roster of young talent could also be a significant decision as San Jose looks to accelerate its rebuild and return to NHL contender status after a playoff run. five years. dry.
