Confirmed with Link: F Erik Haula Signed to Entry Contract

[57special]

Yes. Did you see any games when Granlund and Haula played at the same WJC team? The skill difference was quite noticeable. Of course its been a couple of years and they both have come forward, but you just don't get MG's sense of the game in a few years. Haula might have easier time in NA for some time, but MG will make the transition.

And you watched how many Gophers games this year?

 

[Wild48]

But I wouldn't expect them to come in their freshman year and produce like Haula's and Bjugstad's. Unless they are all Nic Kerdiles'

It all depends on if Wilcox continues to improve. If he's another Kangas (1 year wonder) it's gonna be a long year... but if he continues to improve Gophers are gonna be tough to beat even with the youth.

 

[Fel 96]

Just spoke to newest Wild org player Erik Haula who said he decided at the beginning of the season he would turn pro if he had a good season

http://twitter.com/hockeywildernes/status/321048340756328448

 

[MuckOG]

But I wouldn't expect them to come in their freshman year and produce like Haula's and Bjugstad's. Unless they are all Nic Kerdiles'

Watch out for Taylor Cammarata....

 

[thestonedkoala]

To be honest, I'm a bit surprise they are keeping Haula in center but I guess it makes sense.

 

[ThatGuy22]

This shows you how much the Wild think of him....

https://twitter.com/Russostrib/status/320931280936124416

Haula/his agent had all the leverage in the world. He's a good prospect, and could of become a UFA if he wanted to. Someone would've gave him a max ELC. If he performs well enough to hit those bonus's in the next two years he will be worth every penny.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Watch out for Taylor Cammarata....

The 1-1-3 will shut him down

 

[J22*]

The 1-1-3 will shut him down

I dont know if its sad or impressive that you're proud that your team plays a garbage brand of hockey.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I dont know if its sad or impressive that you're proud that your team plays a garbage brand of hockey.

So defensive systems equal garbage hockey? What happened to defense wins championships?

 

[Dakota Sioux]

They have to hope those freshmen do produce right away. As it stands now I think Wisconsin is the favorite in the B1G.

But so much more coming in....This might be the best freshman class the Gophers have had in quite some time.

Don't we here this every year?

 

[J22*]

So defensive systems equal garbage hockey? What happened to defense wins championships?

Defense is great, the system that Wisconsin plays is Garbage hockey.
Chipping pucks off the glass or just icing the puck for 60 minutes hoping for a PP or a lucky bounce that creates an odd man rush, is not exciting hockey to me.

To their credit, they play their system well, and if their fans are ok with it then I'm sure they dont care what I think of it.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Defense is great, the system that Wisconsin plays is Garbage hockey.
Chipping pucks off the glass or just icing the puck for 60 minutes hoping for a PP or a lucky bounce that creates an odd man rush, is not exciting hockey to me.

To their credit, they play their system well, and if their fans are ok with it then I'm sure they dont care what I think of it.

Considering Wisconsin's PP numbers this year one could say they were one of the best 5 on 5 teams. They don't chip it out of the zone and ice it all game, you're exaggerating. That's the team that went 1-7-2 to start the year. The team that went 21-5-5 to end the year hung around with the best. They traded opportunities and capitalized when they needed to. In the 6-1 loss to UMass in the tourney the Badgers outshot them and outplayed them. The other team just capitalized when it mattered most.

 

[Caior89]

 

[mkoivu9*]

Considering Wisconsin's PP numbers this year one could say they were one of the best 5 on 5 teams. They don't chip it out of the zone and ice it all game, you're exaggerating. That's the team that went 1-7-2 to start the year. The team that went 21-5-5 to end the year hung around with the best. They traded opportunities and capitalized when they needed to. In the 6-1 loss to UMass in the tourney the Badgers outshot them and outplayed them. The other team just capitalized when it mattered most.

This is hilarious.

 

[Sportsfan1]

Well I'll miss this kid on my Gophers, but so excited to see him start his career with the Wild organization! Really think in two or three years this kid is going to make an impact on the NHL and hopefully with us, it's a great story and want to see him suceed with us one day, good luck! Holla for Haula!

 

[thestonedkoala]

I think he's going to be a player. Top 9 potential. 10-20 goals, 30-40 assists. He'll be a good player.

 

[Digitalbooya]

This is hilarious.

Unless you call numerous 2 on 1's getting outplayed... The game was 4-1 with 2 empty netters. Their goalie is a brick wall. Typical gopher fan only looking at the score
Anyways glad Haula is with the Wild! May the Gophers suck for many years!

 

[LordFletcher]

Unless you call numerous 2 on 1's getting outplayed... The game was 4-1 with 2 empty netters. Their goalie is a brick wall. Typical gopher fan only looking at the score
Anyways glad Haula is with the Wild! May the Gophers suck for many years!

its hard not to only look at the scoreboard when its been working the last 15 years or so...

 

[Digitalbooya]

its hard not to only look at the scoreboard when its been working the last 15 years or so...

I suppose.. When is the last time the goofs were in the championship game? I can't even remember 2002 I'm guessing?
Edit: 2003 is when you last won it all. So close to guessing right

 

[Bronson]

Good. Him and Graovac indicates that someone's doing something right when it comes to drafting.

 

[Foxlockbox]

Quote from an finnish interview with Tom Ward, his coach at Shattuck St. Mary

"There is that certain something in him. Words are not enough to describe what that something is. But its the same that you can see in Crosby, Toews, Parise andall the other stars who have left from here. Erik knows what it takes to get to the top, and I'm sure that he is gonna succeed.

 

[Beegoalie]

Intrigued to see how he turns out in the NHL. Am I the only who sees a more mature Granlund in Haula? He's certainly a point getter. Was strong enough in the WCHA, and with reasonable speed. Very heady. 11 months older than Granlund, and I'm guessing stronger ( which isn't saying much).

Yeah your right on!

Except for the fact Haula hasn't dominated his age group internationally at every level or produced boatloads of points with the Finnish national team in the World Championships and Olympics and in a top 5 professional league...

 

[Beegoalie]

Anyways..great find for this organization in the draft..seems mr Flahr might just know what he's doing! Already some great steals in late rounds..Hackett, Keumper, Haula..seems Graovac will be a good player for us down the road..nice job scouting staff

 

[Vashanesh]

Anyways..great find for this organization in the draft..seems mr Flahr might just know what he's doing! Already some great steals in late rounds..Hackett, Keumper, Haula..seems Graovac will be a good player for us down the road..nice job scouting staff

The third round is "late", now?

We have a couple guys pulled from the last couple rounds that have potential. But to be honest, most teams have guys like Graovac and most teams have a goalie prospect that they're high on.

We're just catching up to the rest of the league, IMO. Honestly, with Larsson gone, it wouldn't surprise me to see us outside the top-10 in most prospect pool ratings.

 

[Haite]

We have a couple guys pulled from the last couple rounds that have potential. But to be honest, most teams have guys like Graovac and most teams have a goalie prospect that they're high on.

They're still very solid late round picks from three drafts in a row. Most teams have prospects of that caliber, but getting them that consistently that late into the draft? It's something not many teams get to enjoy of.