thestonedkoala
Going Dark
- Aug 27, 2004
- 28,318
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Both are former 7th round picks. Both are doing respectable on their team. If you had to pick one, who would you sign?
Tough one, but Graovac.
Interesting.
I would pick Haula personally. He's had more success in all of the leagues he's been in, is playing in college and hasn't been as injury prone as Graovac.
I don't see Haula ever getting a significant stretch in the NHL. Not that Graovac will be either, but I think he has a more protectable frame and skill set so that will only help him.
If he's healthy.
Haula might be a tad smaller (5'10") but he's still a gamer.
Anybody think Haula might opt not to sign here? Maybe go to a place like Nashville or SJ where the path is a little less clogged? Depending on if the loophole isn't closed in the next CBA, I could see it happen.
Well he's not going to generate the same interest that Schultz did. He's in a bit of a tough spot in that regard. Legally, other teams couldn't let him know if there's interest, but without significant reassurance that interest is out there, can he really risk leaving his parent club (unless the Wild tell him they're not going to sign him)? I think the Schultz situation won't be repeated here. If anything, we'd probably work out a trade for his rights.
Would have to be Graovac. Haula has certainly come a long long way as a 7th round pick, but as the good doctor says, how does he fit in the NHL? To be top 6, he has to beat out one of Parise/Koivu/Granlund/Zucker. Can he play a bottom 6 role? Even if you look at running 3 "scoring" lines, would he beat out a Brodziak/Larsson/Bulmer/[FA signing]/[newer draft pick]?
I would pick Haula at this point, and it's not a hard choice for me.
Haula has an all-around game that will fit somewhere at the NHL level.