Granlund

[Achilles]

So, word is that he has been demoted to the AHL. He hasn't been much use to me this year, but I kept him as a "young keeper" from last year. I thought I had a plethora of players in this category, so earlier this year I traded both Damien Brunner and Brayden Schenn. That leaves me with:

Tarasenko
Schneider
Granlund
Conacher
Johansen
Atkinson
Zibanejad

I keep 3 of these for next year. Granlund may eventually be a huge star, but if that is 3 years away then he's of no use to me. Tarasenko will definitely be kept, and Conacher has been impressive this year.

So, my question is whether anyone sees Granlund as being a meaningful contributor this year or next. I know what the scouts were saying at the beginning of the year. I know that sometimes it takes time (eg - Joe Thornton) for a playmaking Centre to develop. Still, it is concerning that he hasn't produced at the level that some other rookies have.

I doubt I'd get much for Granlund in trade, because most of my competitors don't put the time in to learn about prospects that I do.

What's everyone's thoughts on Granlund?

[Filadelphia]

You're right, selling Granlund now would be a mistake because you wouldn't get much value. He is the most valuable fantasy prospect right now. Sell high on Conacher, try to trade Zibanejad, and Keep Granlund, Tarasenko, and Schneider.

[taiyed7210]

Granlunds a bust. He sucks.

I'd trade him for almost any prospect at the moment.

[Zorro]

Granlunds a bust. He sucks.

I'd trade him for almost any prospect at the moment.

Wow, please don't take this advice.. That would be a huge mistake if you gave up on Granlund..

[Achilles]

Pretty tough to give up on such a young player so early. I won't, but I do have to be cognizant of whether he will be good enough within his first 164 games to keep.

I was just hoping for some opinions from people who've watched him play. I haven't seen a single Wild game all season.

[DuklaNation]

Thornton got 40 pts at 19, 60 at 20. His rookie yr was bad, but Granlund is older than Thornton in his rookie season. Its not an ideal comparison.

Always felt Granlund was overrated. He could still produce but I wouldnt expect big numbers. Poor man's Saku Koivu.

[grindin griers]

Pretty tough to give up on such a young player so early. I won't, but I do have to be cognizant of whether he will be good enough within his first 164 games to keep.

I was just hoping for some opinions from people who've watched him play. I haven't seen a single Wild game all season.

He was outmatched physically early on and it was very noticeable. Showed some issues adjusting to the speed of the game right away as well. He really improved his last few games though when he was playing but it was too little too late to get back into the top six of the lineup. Cullen really picked up his play moving into the center spot on the 2nd line. Helps that it was right when Seto picked up his play at the same time.

So some of his poor play was due to him trying to adjust right away and some was due to his play of the teammates around him. Seto was playing like shit at the beginning and then he was playing with PMB and Heatley on the third line and those two have not played well at all either, especially PMB.

Now the Yeo has found the identities of his lines though and they don't want Granlund just playing on the bottom line so they sent him back down to Houston so when they do need him he will be at the top of his game instead of coming out of the pressbox.

Patience and time will be needed, not sure if you can afford to wait though at this point.

Another possible reason for the demotion too is that with the short schedule the Wild don't have as much time to let Granlund adjust as they normally would have given him in a full season if they want to win and make the playoffs.

[Achilles]

Not the best news so far, but thanks everyone.

[bigbabybuda]

You're right, selling Granlund now would be a mistake because you wouldn't get much value. He is the most valuable fantasy prospect right now. Sell high on Conacher, try to trade Zibanejad, and Keep Granlund, Tarasenko, and Schneider.

I think this is very good advice. As far as I'm concerned Granlunds upside dwarfs that of Conachers. I would listen to Fila.

[TangerineDreamTeam]

Conacher is going to get buried in Tampa soon. Maybe hes the needle in the haystack (if you read the daily ramblings youve seen the list of the 6-7 guys they have up and coming) out of all the Lightnings prospects, meaning he could be the one guy who gets to play with Stamkos and will already have had a good year under his belt. (already an NHL Calder Can. while the others play in the AHL)
However small players dont normally suceed either (similar to bigger ones like Joe) in their first few years. Im pretty sure people value Ennis higher, with less points this year and 140 more games under his belt, than C.C. The competition in Tampa is fiercer than most other teams for the top line, and the reward is greater. A guy like Granlund will have to compete with Miko for the 1st line and getting the chance to play with Parise. That won't happen anytime soon, not to worry though cause Charlie Coyle is no slouch and neither are the other upcomming prospects in Minnesota.
Schneider is an All-Star caliber goalie that is a must keep along with Tarasenko, hence the debate is only between Conacher and Granlund. Does anyone have 3 prospects that are worse than Ziban, Atki and Johan? With Conacher in there (or possibly Granlund) I'd imagine your returns in a trade could be quite something if the right trade partner is found.

Something you mentioned is you want players who could be relevant for you soon, and i dont think Granlund is THAT close. I love him, think he's amazing, super talented, but he will not count on a winning team in the next 2 years, even with all my praise. Conacher could count for a winner as early as this year. Does that mean he will next year? No, but he has a better chance at counting than Granlund imo. Johansen and Atkinson are just as NHL ready as Granlund and both have better opportunities for 1st line minutes next season. If you're looking to compete this season and next, deal Granlund for a big name that you can rely on. You can afford to move all of those guys except Tarasenko and Schneider (they could help just about any team win a pool next season) for something big in return if it gets you a better chance at winning next season. That chance needs to outweigh Granlund's superstar potential though, because Conacher is more of a Kunitz than a Thornton.

[Rocky71]

The best think that could happen to Granlund is if, or should I say when they get rid of Yeo. I think a new coach with a differnt approach will do wonders for Granlund.

I think his mission should be to go down to AHL, and tear it apart. He needs to regain his confidence, and work on what's needed at the NHL level. I'm waiting to see how he shows at next seasons training camp.

[Achilles]

Schneider is an All-Star caliber goalie that is a must keep along with Tarasenko, hence the debate is only between Conacher and Granlund. Does anyone have 3 prospects that are worse than Ziban, Atki and Johan? With Conacher in there (or possibly Granlund) I'd imagine your returns in a trade could be quite something if the right trade partner is .

Great post, thank you. The problem with my league is that about half the managers don't really pay attention to prospects, so many of them likely have not heard of Granlund. I don't think I would get much for him. So much depends on the league you're in, but your analysis is sound and your suggestions are appreciated.

Zibanejad may be kept. He's a Senator, and that's my team.

I agree with your comments about Schneider, but he is unlikely to be kept unless I decide to drop Rinne. We only start 1 goalie, and only 3 teams out of ten kept a goalie.

I may be able to get something for Conacher. Perhaps I'll put everyone other than Tank on the block and see what kind of offers I get.

With Granlund's reported upside, I am prepared to hold on to him....unless it appears that he will be fantasy irrelevant for his first 3 years. I take it you foresee that to likely be the case.

[Chico Resch]

Granlunds a bust. He sucks.

I'd trade him for almost any prospect at the moment.

Bust. 19 games. Next.

[ApacheWarrior]

are the guys calling granlund a bust?? LOL

you.guys.are.a.joke.period.

[ross10019]

With Granlund's reported upside, I am prepared to hold on to him....unless it appears that he will be fantasy irrelevant for his first 3 years. I take it you foresee that to likely be the case.

It won't take 3 years. He'll hit 50 next year and then take off from there.