Granlund.... What's the Dealio?

[Chico Resch]

Hey peeps. My ability to watch Hockey nowadays is severely impeded. This year was supposed to be THE year for Mikael Granlund.

The stat line looks lousy. Can Any viewers or Wild fans comment on him?

[mister_mcgoo]

He's been streaky at best and not living up to expectations, I haven't given up on him yet by any stretch but he's riding my bench most of the time

[Moses]

Taylor Hall
Tyler Seguin
Erik Gudbranson
Ryan Johansen
Nino Niederreiter
Brett Connolly
Jeff Skinner
Alexander Burmistrov
Mikael Granlund
Dylan McIlrath
Jack Campbell

These are the top 11 of his draft year. What are you expecting of him and when?

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

The Wild powerplay is killing production for almost all of their players. His ES scoring isn't great either, but it's within the range of where it was last season....a couple big games and his ES scoring would be back on pace. But 3 PPP in 29 games is the problem. Give him 8 or 10 PPP, about where you'd expect someone of his skill getting the minutes he does to be, and he's up to 18-20 points in 29 games. Not great, but around a 55 point pace instead of 35.

[SeaDawg]

Not sure why you expected THIS to be the year for Granlund. Most prospects don't break out until their 4th year, so until then you shouldn't be too disappointed with him, unless you have unfair expectations.

If he doesn't put up 70ish points in his 4th year, then you have reason to complain.

That said, I will admit even I was expected a bit more from him this year. I was hoping for 50 pts, and he isn't even on pace for that. As Fast Tony said, I think the main reason he won't hit 50 this year is because the Wild pp is terrible.

[LakeSoup]

Not sure why you expected THIS to be the year for Granlund. Most prospects don't break out until their 4th year, so until then you shouldn't be too disappointed with him, unless you have unfair expectations.

If he doesn't put up 70ish points in his 4th year, then you have reason to complain.

That said, I will admit even I was expected a bit more from him this year. I was hoping for 50 pts, and he isn't even on pace for that. As Fast Tony said, I think the main reason he won't hit 50 this year is because the Wild pp is terrible.

Definitely a coaching issue...how can you have that talented a front of players and not have anything going on the PP?

[theIceWookie]

It is the year for Granlund! Markus Granlund has seized his opportunity and grasped his hands on a Flames roster spot. Oh...you meant Mikael. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

I like Mikael Granlunds talent, but I don't think he's going to be the star people think he is. He's too much of a perimeter player to be anything other than a 2nd line winger and powerplay specialist IMO. Good depth player but not the star everyone is expecting.

[27Blue]

Granlund isn't a perimeter player and he isn't a winger.
Never thought he would be a star, though.

[theIceWookie]

Granlund isn't a perimeter player and he isn't a winger.
Never thought he would be a star, though.

I don't get to watch the Wild often (and by often I mean I don't remember the last time I saw them) so my mistake. I just assumed he was a winger (I though they were running Koivu and Coyle as their top 2 centers).

[pmorrow]

He's more of a setup man and the guys he's been playing with some wingers that have pretty low shooting percentages - Vanek and Pominville have been snakebitten. Granny himself is about on track with his 7% shooting %. He doesn't snipe too easily, so he's really gotta hope the others can get a few bounces.

[LakeSoup]

He's more of a setup man and the guys he's been playing with some wingers that have pretty low shooting percentages - Vanek and Pominville have been snakebitten. Granny himself is about on track with his 7% shooting %. He doesn't snipe too easily, so he's really gotta hope the others can get a few bounces.

I think every MIN player owner other than Parise...well Parise too, is hoping for a big second half from the Wild.