After shouldering off-season surgery Grier still searching for on ice confidence

You’ll be able to tell when Mike Grier is 100 per cent confident in his surgically repaired shoulder. He’ll be using it to send puck carriers into the middle of next week. Board-rattling hits have become the six-foot-one, 235-pounder’s trademark - ask any of the victims he’s left dazed and gasping for air - but to this point in the season Grier has been quiet on the boards and on the scoresheet, where he has just two goals in 17 games. “I’m still trying to get comfortable and get confidence back in my shoulder to really go out there and hit guys hard like I’m used to doing normally,” said Grier, who needed off-season surgery to repair a chronically dislocating shoulder. “I’ve had a couple of chances to really hit guys and either…

SCOREBOARD

Jillson opening eyes with sparkling play

By nature, it’s Jeff Jillson’s place to dole out punishment. But these days, who could blame the rookie for some selfinflicted pain if he pinched himself? Jillson, 21, played in all 12 Sharks’ games in October to start the season, a campaign many expected he’d spend in the AHL. Instead, Jillson burst into November’s second Week tied for the team lead in blueline scoring with seven points, was plus-2 and averaged 16:40 of ice time. “He’s respectful enough and he’s a sponge,” said coach Darryl Sutter. “He watches, studies and listens to other players. He has improved.” San Jose’s first round pick (14th overall in 1999) left the University of Michigan a year early to turn pro this season. He came to camp a month early and the head start has been paying dividends…

Lecavalier ignores frequent swap talk

It’s all just rumors. That’s what Vinny Lecavalier said he thinks of the trade talk swirling around him. The most interesting rumor was a deal with the Devils for - and take your pick - Bobby Holik, Scott Gomez or John Madden. “They’re just rumors,” Lecavalier said. “It doesn’t affect me at all.” Lecavalier had just one goal in his first 13 games. His goal drought mirrors one the team has endured with 27 goals in 15 games. GM Rick Dudley said-he has fielded calls about possible deals for the 21-year-old center since it was reported he had requested a trade. The reports were strenuously denied by Lecavalier and his agent Kent Hughes. Dudley said he is not shopping Lecavalier, and said, “It is virtually 100 per cent sure he’s not going anywhere.” But Dudley…