Player Discussion Kevin Fiala

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nickschultzfan

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Jan 7, 2009
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Fiala is in an ideal spot. He can be a driver on the second line, but have Kap take the other team's focus. Wild just need to upgrade his linemates by adding Boldy or Rossi in time.
 

57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
47,622
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Fiala is in an ideal spot. He can be a driver on the second line, but have Kap take the other team's focus. Wild just need to upgrade his linemates by adding Boldy or Rossi in time.
:thumbu:And he also gets to play on the #1PP, so he gets to play with Kap. I think that they are both too puck dominant to co-exist on the same line on a regular basis.
 
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DemidovSaveUs

Danila Yurov Fan Club Executive Assistant
May 2, 2018
18,571
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35 goal, 68 point pace.

7 points in the last 3 games (all 3rd period points)

25 points in the last 19 games

39 points in last 44 games. (73 pt pace)

Certainly has all the makings of a first line forward for a long time for us. Billy, don F this up.
 

grN1g

Registered User
Nov 11, 2009
2,912
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Minnesota
So much for the lucky longer term but cheaper before full breakout contract deal.

Good problem don't get me wrong but damnit.
 

DemidovSaveUs

Danila Yurov Fan Club Executive Assistant
May 2, 2018
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74 point pace. Not bad for not having a linemate most of the year and now being in the second PP
 
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Cold Coffee

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Jan 27, 2020
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Why is it a common perception that Fiala is getting moved this summer? He has 60 points in 65 games and is a +15. Is it a cap space problem? Is he not good in the locker room?
 

BagHead

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Dec 23, 2010
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Minneapolis, MN
Why is it a common perception that Fiala is getting moved this summer? He has 60 points in 65 games and is a +15. Is it a cap space problem? Is he not good in the locker room?
Almost entirely cap. There's also speculation that because he's been difficult to negotiate contracts with, that's made Guerin want to move on from him, but that is just speculation as far as I'm aware. I don't think that's actually been reported in print by anyone reputable.
 

Bazeek

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Jul 26, 2011
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Why is it a common perception that Fiala is getting moved this summer? He has 60 points in 65 games and is a +15. Is it a cap space problem? Is he not good in the locker room?
When he was up for an extension last summer, management opted to sign him to his 1-year qualifying offer instead of pursuing a longer term deal. This was probably partly driven by the prolonged negotiations with Kaprizov, which they didn't seem to expect. Either way, it surrendered effectively all leverage the team had for his next contract - at this point he can go to arbitration and get another 1-year contract that will take him to UFA.

His performance this year should have mostly erased any concerns the team had about where he was trending, but it's also increased his likely pricetag at a time when the team's cap situation doesn't really allow it to "go there." If they were balking at $7m+ last summer, that problem hasn't gotten any better.

They've also made several smaller moves and signings since then that indicate what their remaining cap space will be going to: Greenway was extended, they spent a relatively valuable asset to acquire RFA Middleton (who needs a contract), and they just (bizarrely) extended Goligoski.

Fiala's a great player, but the team clearly decided last summer that he was a luxury they couldn't/wouldn't afford beyond this season. Just about everything they've done since then indicates they haven't changed their minds. The team's beat writer has substantiated a lot of this with behind-the-scenes gossip, too: management has seriously looked at trading him away a few times now, and is fully primed to eject him this summer.

It is what it is.
 

Cold Coffee

Elite/Franchise/Generational/BPA
Jan 27, 2020
4,383
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When he was up for an extension last summer, management opted to sign him to his 1-year qualifying offer instead of pursuing a longer term deal. This was probably partly driven by the prolonged negotiations with Kaprizov, which they didn't seem to expect. Either way, it surrendered effectively all leverage the team had for his next contract - at this point he can go to arbitration and get another 1-year contract that will take him to UFA.

His performance this year should have mostly erased any concerns the team had about where he was trending, but it's also increased his likely pricetag at a time when the team's cap situation doesn't really allow it to "go there." If they were balking at $7m+ last summer, that problem hasn't gotten any better.

They've also made several smaller moves and signings since then that indicate what their remaining cap space will be going to: Greenway was extended, they spent a relatively valuable asset to acquire RFA Middleton (who needs a contract), and they just (bizarrely) extended Goligoski.

Fiala's a great player, but the team clearly decided last summer that he was a luxury they couldn't/wouldn't afford beyond this season. Just about everything they've done since then indicates they haven't changed their minds. The team's beat writer has substantiated a lot of this with behind-the-scenes gossip, too: management has seriously looked at trading him away a few times now, and is fully primed to eject him this summer.

It is what it is.
Almost entirely cap. There's also speculation that because he's been difficult to negotiate contracts with, that's made Guerin want to move on from him, but that is just speculation as far as I'm aware. I don't think that's actually been reported in print by anyone reputable.
Interesting. It's pretty ridiculous to see the cap hit coming in from the Parise/Suter buyouts. I hope you guys make the best of your chance this year and thanks for the answers.
 

Southern Minny

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Nov 29, 2021
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Wouldn't it be nice to wake up one morning and read that Fiala likes it here and signed 3 x 5M, wishful thinking but man it's gonna suck when he's gone.
 

P10p

Registered User
May 15, 2012
3,017
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Maybe the Goligoski deal was made in part because Guerin wanted to show Fiala that he is good on his word? A big stretch but wouldn't it be nice if we were able to do the same with Fiala? Something like "Sign here for a few years under market and you will be paid big after the dead cap comes off". This would be dead in the water if Fiala saw Guerin walk back on his Goligoski deal. I know this is mostly a pipe dream to keep Fiala here...
 
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