Has Mikael Granlund become the premier offensive player that has eluded Minnesota for so long?

[16thOverallSaveUs]

Granlund has been taking steady steps forward for a while now, and at 27, he might just be entering his prime. Stats:6g 6a 12p in 12 games. He started of the year slow but now has a nine game point streak and 12 points in those nine games. It looks like his shot is much more lethal this year, which has been opening up more options for him.

Could Granlund finally be the weapon MN has been missing since gaborik?

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[Oan]

No because he isn't a center. Only centers can be premier.

 

[Kranix]

What was Marion Gaborik, chaopped liva???

 

[57special]

I don't think he can be the best forward on a successful team. His lack of speed and size/strength/reach limit him. He had a nice goal the other night, but his shot is not lethal, and he simply doesn't use it often enough, in any event. It has improved, though.

He is a very smart, courageous player with outstanding puck handling and passing skills. Great at zone entries, and good at running a PP. A Backstrom type player.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

He's a very nice player but he's not a cornerstone player which I think is what you are implying here.

 

[Advanced stats]

He's a driver, but not the guy you want being the primary driver.
Theres probably 45 forwards I'd take to guide my team over him.

 

[57special]

He's a very nice player but he's not a cornerstone player which I think is what you are implying here.

Actually he is a cornerstone type player. He is exactly the type of player you want on your 1st line, #1 PP, or driving a really, really good 2nd line. He has physical limitations, but finds a way to work around them.

 

[Kevs Security]

I don't think he can be the best forward on a successful team. His lack of speed and size/strength/reach limit him. He had a nice goal the other night, but his shot is not lethal, and he simply doesn't use it often enough, in any event. It has improved, though.

He is a very smart, courageous player with outstanding puck handling and passing skills. Great at zone entries, and good at running a PP. A Backstrom type player.

Though Backstrom could be the cornerstone player for a franchise, couldn't he? Otherwise I agree with your assessment.

 

[PAZ]

I could be off-base, but Granlund doesn't seem to be the type of player that can make a scoring chance out of thin air.

However, he's great at capitalizing on scoring chances and instead of making an average play, he can make those high IQ plays that will lead to a high percentage scoring chance.

 

[Kevs Security]

Actually he is a cornerstone type player. He is exactly the type of player you want on your 1st line, #1 PP, or driving a really, really good 2nd line. He has physical limitations, but finds a way to work around them.

Okay so you replied that while I was typing. But your earlier post stated he couldn't be the best forward on a successful team, which I took as a "not a cornerstone player".

 

[57special]

He's a driver, but not the guy you want being the primary driver.
Theres probably 45 forwards I'd take to guide my team over him.

That's about right, though he has underrated two way attributes that many high end, offensive forwards lack. The guy is amazing at winning board battles. Consistently makes fools of bigger, stronger opponents.

Being the second best forward on a team is pretty good. Sooner or later he is going to be paired with some lucky young sniper and make him a lot of money. His vision and passing is superb.

 

[57special]

Okay so you replied that while I was typing. But your earlier post stated he couldn't be the best forward on a successful team, which I took as a "not a cornerstone player".

Semantics?
He's the most untouchable forward on the Wild. For them, that's a cornerstone player(sadly).

He would be 3rd or 4th best forward on the Leafs, 3rd best forward on EDM, 3rd or 4th best forward on PIT, etc., etc..

 

[Nsjohnson]

He isn't 'the guy'. He never will be. But he's very talented and would play an amazing 2nd fiddle if the Wild had a guy like Tavares, etc.

 

[Jussi]

His saucer passes are still too fluttery.

 

[57special]

His saucer passes are still too fluttery.

Not as fluttery as your post.

 

[Kevs Security]

Semantics?
He's the most untouchable forward on the Wild. For them, that's a cornerstone player(sadly).

He would be 3rd or 4th best forward on the Leafs, 3rd best forward on EDM, 3rd or 4th best forward on PIT, etc., etc..

That's what I mean. We're on same page on that one. I just don't think player is a cornerstone type per se if you can't build succesfully around him. Of course he can act as that player for the Wild but that doesn't necessary make him one. Bozak was Toronto's first line center for a while but he really doesn't qualify as a #1 center by the usual standards... And I think Backstrom is the type of player who could be the cornerstone for a succesful team.

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

He's a driver, but not the guy you want being the primary driver.
Theres probably 45 forwards I'd take to guide my team over him.

I would agree with that. How many of those 45 players would you say a team can build a cup contender around?

 

[Dr Pepper]

Is Zach Parise still playing? Whatever happened to that guy....he was a star in New Jersey, then Minny got him and Suter in a blockbuster signing, and now seven seasons in to his Wild career he has yet to top 62 points.

I thought he'd be a factor, but it doesn't look like it. Off to a good start this year at least.

 

[57special]

I think that MN held back Granlund in his first few years by having him play C. On the Wild, Koivu is the template for what a C is. Physical, superb two way player, with good FO talent. Granlund tried, but it's no coincidence that his point totals shot up once he moved to the wing.

Yeah, Backstrom is better, but they have some similarities in their game. I wonder how many assists MiG would get feeding 88, though.

 

[57special]

Is Zach Parise still playing? Whatever happened to that guy....he was a star in New Jersey, then Minny got him and Suter in a blockbuster signing, and now seven seasons in to his Wild career he has yet to top 62 points.

I thought he'd be a factor, but it doesn't look like it. Off to a good start this year at least.

Back problems for close to two years, maybe more. Finally had a procedure done this summer (fusing discs?) and so far, he looks like the old Parise, albeit an aging one.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

I could be off-base, but Granlund doesn't seem to be the type of player that can make a scoring chance out of thin air.

You are off-base.

 

[Gurglesons]

He’s a lesser Forsberg.

I don’t trust him to win a series for them, but he is a hell of a player.

 

[Gurglesons]

He’s a lesser Forsberg.

I don’t trust him to win a series for them, but he is a hell of a player.

 

[Scrantonicity 2]

No because he isn't a center. Only centers can be premier.

Worst post of the year candidate right here.

 

[Jussi]

Not as fluttery as your post.

You n00bs don't know the reference.