Quote:
Originally Posted by The Cobra
Granlund has 49 points to Fiala's 32, is older and makes a ton more money.
Granlund scores because he gets premium ice time, but he doesn't score all that much actually. A soft overrated player.
Minny gets younger, cheaper and likely has a player that will quite easily replace Granlund's offence with increased ice time and PP time.
In a cap world, Granlund wasn't pulling his salary Plus he's got 1 more year until UFA, where it would take an unwanted contract to pay him during his regressing years.
Looks like a smart move by the new GM.
|
There is certainly a road to Fiala being able to take the role, and equal it for a longer period of time at a reduced rate, but I'm not sure about "quite easily", and Granlund being overrated (except by Shaun).
Granlund is ranked 35th in the NHL in scoring the last 3 years, and is both a real driver during even strength situations and fairly dynamic on the powerplay. He's not an elite player by any stretch, but he's certainly in that next grouping... one that you can comfortably build a line around. Fiala has shown signs of being able to do that, although in more favourable match-ups.. time will tell if he can convert that in his new role.
I think this was more about Granlund having his contract expiring at age 28, where he will be in a position to command a 6-7 year contract at $7-8M, which doesn't feel like a particularly appealing bet to me for his 28-34 seasons where he should start seeing a dip in production for a re-tooling team. He was a future trade candidate based on where the Wild were at, and if they waited until next year, I think they were more likely to obtain some futures (like a 1st round pick and some fringy prospects). Getting a ready made offensive talent in Fiala, that has strong underlying numbers is a better get now by being proactive.
I think the trade was less about Granlund being a flawed player (because he's not) as much as it was re-tooling the team towards a window that better fits the cap structure and age projected for their next competitive window.