Buffalo Sabres Sign Mike Grier

by David Oleksy on Aug 10, 2009 7:22 PM EDT Comment 17 comments

The Buffalo Sabres have signed free agent forward Mike Grier according to WGR550 in Buffalo. Grier was a key component of the Sabres run to the Conference Finals in 2006. He signed with the San Jose Sharks after the 2006 season because he did not feel the Sabres organization was headed in the right direction.

This would be a huge signing for the Sabres if the reports are correct. The Sabres are not deep on the right side and could really use a power forward to help some of the smaller players. It will be interesting to see what this means for Drew Stafford and whether the Sabres will still try to sign him.

[Note by D.O., 08/10/09 7:26 PM EDT ] This was confirmed via the Buffalo Sabres Official Twitter. I still haven't seen it at Sabres.com.

[Note by D.O., 08/10/09 7:32 PM EDT ] This is now confirmed at Sabres.com although the terms of the deal were not disclosed. The terms will be available later on I'm sure. The deal is for one-year meaning that he will be a free agent again next season.

Mike Grier

#25 / Right Wing / San Jose Sharks

Height: 6-1

Weight: 225

Born: Jan 05, 1975

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Mike Grier	62	10	13	23	8	25	0	1	2	0	108	9.3

I'll have more on this as it becomes available.

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Are you happy the Sabres brought back Mike Grier?

Yes

257 votes

No

25 votes

Let's wait and see what happens

68 votes

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Comments

This is great, so long as we still bring back Stafford.

The more players we sign though…

Darcy must have a trade up his sleeve, right? Something has to be coming – I doubt we’re going to be spending to the cap.

"We want to win immediately. To say you're building is an incomplete sentence. ... You're building for a future coach and general manager."
-Marv Levy

by TEMSON on Aug 10, 2009 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Although

I doubt we’re going to be spending to the cap

Because of the renewal rate of season ticket sales, and the fact they had to stop selling them, perhaps the Sabres are better equipped than most NHL teams to deal w/ this economy. Reasonable ticket prices, etc.

I agree that for the sake of the roster and to “trim some fat” that a trade needs to be made here, though.

by bluecollarbuffalo on Aug 11, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is an excellent signing. Look at the last two years, Buffalo has really made a significant effort to get tougher. Starting with Rivet and now Montador, McCormick, and Grier. The roster is starting to look better to me.

I do however worry about the status of the Stafford negotiations.

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Aug 10, 2009 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rivet makes the Sabres tougher. Grier does not.

Jon Casey fan since '84

by stufflife on Aug 10, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How does Grier not make the team tougher? He skates hard, he hits, he sticks up for his teammates. Explain to me how he doesn’t make Buffalo tougher.

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Aug 10, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

147 hits last year and he’s not tough? BeastMode is right he always sticks up for his teammates too…..did you already forget from the last time he was in Buffalo? The guys built like a linebacker so when hes tough theres a big impact on the game

by sween on Aug 10, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sad that Grier won’t be in Teal anymore … I hope he plays awesomely for you (cept when playing the Sharks) … :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?

by ang6666 on Aug 10, 2009 11:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I must admit, being a Rangers fan, that this was a good signing by the Sabres but wow does that bio picture not do the man any justice at all.

by b4mv01 on Aug 10, 2009 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Goose and Grier together sounds like fun to me.
At this point any news is good news.
Still waiting for that “blockbuster deal” -.^

by Traver on Aug 11, 2009 1:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Greer

I’d much rather have read that the Sabres had signed Stafford. Grier is relatively slow, ponderous and evidently not highly regarded by other teams or he wouldn’t have moved around so much.

by Geolover on Aug 11, 2009 7:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The man bad mouthed the organization on his way out of town the first time around and had to be convinced by captain Craig Rivet to come back. I think that Grier was desperate to get a contract and settled for Buffalo.

Not sure if he is going to play as well for the Sabres as he did the first time around.

Die By The Blade - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by Zachary Zielonka on Aug 11, 2009 7:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Hopefully he see’s this as an oppurtunity and not just a job for this year. Def. the Sabres will be a feared physical presence in the east and I hope we do something with Staff. It will be a miracle if Buff spends to the cap!? Im still pleased with the signs for now but a trade will be have to be done im assuming with all the ufa’s we have next year. I wonder what the roster will look like this year?? Hmmm

Got some work to do before being a playoff team let alone a contender again!

by thenewhockeytown on Aug 11, 2009 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good signing.

Grit is something we lacked last year and have lacked since the lockout. It was one of the signatures of the Buffalo Sabres; gritty guys that could hit, skate and score. The present rules aren’t the same as the post-lockout costant interference calls. We’re back to clutch and grab hockey, gentleman and possibly ladies. Hopefully the guys we’ve picked up and will acquire in the future can teach the youth of the sabres how to be tough blue-collared S.O.B.s. Two seasons ago in a game against Ottawa, I believe Ruff put out a line of our goons just to fight Heatley, Spezza and Alfredsson. I thought that was the best thing I’ve seen in a long time. When no one retaliated after Gomez’ hit on Miller (dirty or not), my heart hurt. That will not happen this year. Hitting and fighting is one of the best things that make hockey the most unique sport on the planet. We gotta start doling out some hits this season.

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Aug 11, 2009 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

scared

I dont know bought you guys but id be damn scared to be on the ice against Grier Gaustad Mair Kaleta Rivet Mcormick and Montador no matter what the line combination!!! Holy balls that would suck

Got some work to do before being a playoff team let alone a contender again!

by thenewhockeytown on Aug 12, 2009 10:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dont forget Myers when he gets out there that guy is huge

by mitch400214 on Aug 12, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1.2 m.... really?

This is obviously Regier and Quinn’s way of trying to somehow make up for the lack of movement in this years off-season. In 2006 Regier wouldn’t pay the man $600,000!!!! So the Sharks grab him in hopes that he will bring some needed leadership to an incredibly talented roster and help them bring home a cup. Of course we all know what happens… The Sharks choke just the same as they did without Grier. Somehow though we are suppose to believe he is going to make a difference on our team now? and is NOW worth 1.2 Million? This move is an insult to Buffalo Sabres fans. Regier is banking on the fact that Mike Grier was loved here in Buffalo in order to try to keep the fans happy and buying tickets. The Sabres are going to be just as mediocre as they have been the last 2 years. Regier needs to be gone and we need a guy in there that knows how build a Stanley Cup team.

by ComeOnNow on Sep 8, 2009 7:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and as far as Grit..

Yes Grier has some grit, and is generally a tough durable guy, but even Ales Kotalik was a bigger hitter than Grier last year, so lets not pretend he’s anything like a Orpik or Phaneuf that’s going to come in here and turn this team into a scary physically dominant organization. He’s a good 4th liner.. Not the answer.. and certainly not worth 1.2m…

by ComeOnNow on Sep 8, 2009 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs