Confirmed Trade: [NSH/MIN] Mikael Granlund for Kevin Fiala

[JustaFinnishGuy]

Looked just was expected at PP, for some reason was playing LW with bunch of right handed shooters

Well, our powerplay is 31st in the league. That might explain that to you.

 

[mattihp]

Well, our powerplay is 31st in the league. That might explain that to you.

They'll figure it out I bet. They have all the tools for a top-5 powerplay.

 

[Bazeek]

I only caught the end of the Nashville/Winnipeg game last night, but Granlund looked like himself. He set up some very good scoring chances, but no one was there to finish them. That might just be a case of the team getting used to it, because they can come out of nowhere sometimes. He's gotten a lot of assists on Dumba, Zucker and Parise goals because those guys are good at either pulling the trigger or keeping their sticks down and giving him a target near the net. If the powerplay guys especially can learn to expect it he'll start paying dividends quickly.

I saw him shooting more than he was recently in Minnesota, even if they were kind of awkward shots. At least he was trying, though. He tends to neutralizes himself when he starts refusing to shoot.

He also had the beginning of a nice zone entry at the end with the goalie pulled, but it looked like he was slashed pretty good (without a call). I hope we at least break even on the zone-entries with Fiala because that was definitely something we'll miss.

 

[57special]

Yah, besides being the best passer on the Wild, Granlund was also the best at zone entries. Handy for PP's. Was also the best puck handler.
He should make any shooter that he is on the same line with in NSH very happy.

 

[Osprey]

I noticed him last night. I noticed when he fanned on a shot on a 2 on 1. That's not exactly a great thing to be noticed for, but at least he was on a 2 on 1 and had a chance to tie the game, even if he flubbed it. Maybe, in the future, he should be the passer in those situations instead of the shooter.

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

I noticed him last night. I noticed when he fanned on a shot on a 2 on 1. That's not exactly a great thing to be noticed for, but at least he was on a 2 on 1 and had a chance to tie the game, even if he flubbed it. Maybe, in the future, he should be the passer in those situations instead of the shooter.

Odd take

 

[Aurinko]

I noticed him last night. I noticed when he fanned on a shot on a 2 on 1. That's not exactly a great thing to be noticed for, but at least he was on a 2 on 1 and had a chance to tie the game, even if he flubbed it. Maybe, in the future, he should be the passer in those situations instead of the shooter.

Josi made him the pass, and based on his impression he some extended expectations considering the resulting shot .

 

[rynryn]

I'd take it as a good sign that he was shooting if I were you.

 

[Bazeek]

I'd take it as a good sign that he was shooting if I were you.

That was exactly my thought watching it. Brutal shot, but the fact that he wound up and took it instead of peeling off with the puck to try to set something up was a good sign.

 

[Nharris31]

I only caught the end of the Nashville/Winnipeg game last night, but Granlund looked like himself. He set up some very good scoring chances, but no one was there to finish them. That might just be a case of the team getting used to it, because they can come out of nowhere sometimes. He's gotten a lot of assists on Dumba, Zucker and Parise goals because those guys are good at either pulling the trigger or keeping their sticks down and giving him a target near the net. If the powerplay guys especially can learn to expect it he'll start paying dividends quickly.

I saw him shooting more than he was recently in Minnesota, even if they were kind of awkward shots. At least he was trying, though. He tends to neutralizes himself when he starts refusing to shoot.

He also had the beginning of a nice zone entry at the end with the goalie pulled, but it looked like he was slashed pretty good (without a call). I hope we at least break even on the zone-entries with Fiala because that was definitely something we'll miss.

All advanced stats say Fiala is better at zone entries than Granlund so I don’t think that should be much of a worry.

 

[paragon]

I noticed him last night. I noticed when he fanned on a shot on a 2 on 1. That's not exactly a great thing to be noticed for, but at least he was on a 2 on 1 and had a chance to tie the game, even if he flubbed it. Maybe, in the future, he should be the passer in those situations instead of the shooter.

Good for you to watch the highlights.

 

[MMC]

 

[BatVader]

As caution due to a trade or just to showcase other players?

 

[AKL]

As prep of a trade or just to showcase other players?

The whole team (apart from Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman relative time expectations) is playing like complete dogshit. Fiala included. Donato was scratched last game. Rask was scratched the first two. Fiala is scratched now. I’m sure others will be scratched going forward.

It’s an indictment on Fiala’s play so far to be sure, but that’s not to say he’s the only or even biggest issue with the team right now.

 

[57special]

The baseball term for players like Fiala is, "Million dollar arm, ten cent head."

Maybe he'll get it together, but it doesn't look promising. He fits right in in MN.

 

[BigFatCat999]

Well, if you don't want him, Preds will take him back...

 

[Jozay]

you really hate to see it

 

[Bazeek]

Not a big fan of the scratch. I didn't see the Ottawa game so maybe that changes things, but Fiala and Zucker have been the only top-6 forwards on the team that have looked worth a damn overall to me.

 

[AKL]

Not a big fan of the scratch. I didn't see the Ottawa game so maybe that changes things, but Fiala and Zucker have been the only top-6 forwards on the team that have looked worth a damn overall to me.

I think there are definitely other more deserving scratchees as well. But let’s be honest, Staal and Parise aren’t getting scratched. Rask has been surprisingly not a tire fire for these two games, Donato just sat. It’s probably just Fiala’s turn in the rotation.

 

[Bazeek]

I think there are definitely other more deserving scratchees as well. But let’s be honest, Staal and Parise aren’t getting scratched. Rask has been surprisingly not a tire fire for these two games, Donato just sat. It’s probably just Fiala’s turn in the rotation.

Yeah and I guess I get it, but the idea that the younger guys are in a scratch rotation while Staal and Parise just need to "work through it" or whatever is irritating. Inevitable, but irritating.

 

[AKL]

Yeah and I guess I get it, but the idea that the younger guys are in a scratch rotation while Staal and Parise just need to "work through it" or whatever is irritating. Inevitable, but irritating.

If I had my way, the lineup would be

Sokolov-Koivu-Fiala
Zucker-Kunin-Mayhew
Greenway-Eriksson Ek-Donato
Foligno-Rask-Hartman

 

[Derg12]

The baseball term for players like Fiala is, "Million dollar arm, ten cent head."

Maybe he'll get it together, but it doesn't look promising. He fits right in in MN.

AAAA player … too good for the AHL, not good enough for the NHL. Mark Mancari is an old Sabre/Amerks example.

 

[AKL]

AAAA player … too good for the AHL, not good enough for the NHL. Mark Mancari is an old Sabre/Amerks example.

I wouldn’t read too much into what that guy says. If a player isn’t a Selke or Norris level defender he’s apparently worthless.
Fiala has warts, but he’s certainly good enough for the NHL. The whole team has been bad so far, so he hasn’t had much support. Nashville fans like him, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt until he gets the chance to play on a good team.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Not a big fan of the scratch. I didn't see the Ottawa game so maybe that changes things, but Fiala and Zucker have been the only top-6 forwards on the team that have looked worth a damn overall to me.

Fiala's looked as bad, if not worse than everyone else.

Absolute turnover machine.

 

[Bazeek]

Fiala's looked as bad, if not worse than everyone else.

Absolute turnover machine.

I don't agree at all, with or without the turnovers.