2010-2011 Player Outlook: Mike Grier

by Zachary Zielonka on Sep 18, 2010 10:00 AM EDT

Mike Grier returned to the Buffalo Sabres last year with much fanfare after his highly publicized exit in 2006. What it showed was a renewed confidence in management by a player that felt jilted after the 2005 team lost a few key members of the team. While Grier's stats weren't gaudy, it wasn't the role he was ever asked to play. His veteran leadership in the dressing room and good puck awareness were keys to resigning him again this offseason.

Much of the same type of play can be expected from Grier this season as well. Most of the season, Grier played most of the season with Tim Kennedy and Jochen Hecht on the third line but does have some ability to move the puck up ice and create scoring chances. The one thing the Grier has a tendency to do is fumble away those chances when they are on his stick.

Stats for the season and more after the jump.

Mike Grier

#25 / Right Wing / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-1

Weight: 227

Born: Jan 05, 1975

Three Year Stats

Year	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
07-08	78	9	13	22	-8	24	1	3	4	132	6.8
08-09	62	10	13	23	8	25	0	1	2	108	9.3
09-10	73	10	12	22	-4	14	0	0	2	123	8.1
3-year avg.	71	10	13	23	-1	21	0	1	3	121	8.2

2010-2011 Outlook

Year	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG
2010-2011 Projected Stats	70	10	20	30	2	15	0	0

Grier is a fantastic player to have on your team because he does bring some good awareness up the ice and decent overall play. Grier will be slotted on the third or fourth lines due to the role he plays and the talent that team would want him to face.

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Comments

I think Grier nets two SHG for us this year. Grier is such a fan favorite… Ive never heard anyone say anything bad about him… no hes not the best… but he gives his all and is a player that seems to play hockey for the love of it… Fier the Grier!

Buffal Bills. We have no 'O'

by bflo on Sep 18, 2010 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

never heard anyone say anything bad about him[/quote]

Sure you have. I bet Geolover posts in this thread saying he’s too old and slow and shouldn’t be in the NHL even though Grier was one of our best PKers last year and always gave an 100% effort, He was just out of gas in that double overtime Playoff game.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Sep 18, 2010 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

well I hit the wrong button, was trying to quote the part about no one ever saying anything bad about Grier.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Sep 18, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

The reason he's a fan favorite...

…is because he plays the game the way we feel the game should be played. He never stops, he skates hard, he checks hard, he defends his teammates, he plays smart, he shows up every game, he’s not a prima donna and he performs in the clutch. That’s why we love him even though he doesn’t put up good offensive numbers.

I truly think Grier deserves the “C” more than Rivet does.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Sep 18, 2010 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

haha I got you

Buffal Bills. We have no 'O'

by bflo on Sep 19, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Lol.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Sep 19, 2010 2:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Fun comparison: The last 5 years, Grier has played with the Sabres twice and the Sharks three times. For the teams he was on, their PK ranks were, in order 2,3,1,3,2. The sharks and the sabres PK ranks for the years Grier wasn’t on their particular team, were 9,17,8,11,7.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 20, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

exactly my point. I love watching Grier on the PK and in defensive situation, it’s always an 100% effort. He’s also my father’s favorite current Sabre.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Sep 20, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

If only he could cash in a few more goals, he would be a top forward for us. He has everything you want except that finishing touch. Good guy to have around though. Everybody remembers him on the PK, but don’t forget what I like to call the hero squad. Gaustad, Grier, Hecht, Myers, and Tallinder were the guys who always got the task of holding a late lead against the extra attacker. I must say they did an excellent job of it too. If Leopold fills Hank’s shoes we should be good in one goal games again this year.

by Zack Holiskey on Sep 18, 2010 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

FloridaBuffalo is right

I haven’t seen Grier as often as many of you have, but in the games I have seen him in, I was disappointed in his play. He is slow – the opposing players fly by him. I will agree though with those that think he deserves the C more Rivet. That really isn’t saying much though, because Rivet has been pretty much invisible in the games I have seen him play and has shown little in the way of leadership. Again, he has also slowed down. I really don’t think Rivet is happy in Buffalo and misses San Jose. He is just going through the motions, playing out his contract and hoping to be traded to contending team or preparing to retire.

by Geolover on Sep 18, 2010 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

I agree. I think Rivet misses the smell of the sea. I think he misses the even tan of the beautiful Californian women. I think he misses the taste of the native wine and the calming sound of Arnold Swartzenegger’s voice.

Geolover, I’m trying to be fair to you (because I kind of want to dislike you) but you’ve been a little too clairvoyant lately.

by Traver on Sep 18, 2010 10:53 PM EDT reply actions