Minnesota Wild Prospect 2011-12 Primer #1: Mikael Granlund

by danccchan on Aug 8, 2011 12:00 PM CDT in Prospects

Voted by the Hockey Wilderness readers, the Minnesota Wild’s number one prospect is Mikael Granlund!

A rightfully so!

There hasn’t been such an exciting prospect for the Wild since Marian Gaborik, who has left us with a terrible bitter taste in our mouths.

But anyways, you have chosen Granlund as our top prospect, and we will look into why! Not only will you understand why, you will also get prepared for the upcoming season as we watch these kids turn into NHL players, and hopefully, into key Minnesota Wild players.

Mikael Granlund

#64 / Center / HIFK

Height: 5-10

Weight: 180

Born: Feb 26, 1992

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2010 - HIFK	54	13	39	52	8	18

Strengths

Extremely hockey smart. Very creativity and can create plays out of nowhere. Has elusive skating and the ability to move in traffic. Handles the puck very well. Good selection of shots. Decent physical package considering small height. Not afraid to get physical; to give a hit or take one. Plays with intensity and plays bigger than he actually is. Plays well at both ends of the ice. Extremely versatile; able to play center or wing. Has a wealth of experience playing in men’s league as well as playing in a men’s tournament during the World Championships. Has been a winner at all levels he has played in.

Weaknesses

Does not possess top-notch speed. Considered undersized at 5’10".

Summary

You may call me a homer because of the lack of info I listed under weaknesses, but honestly, I couldn’t think of many. He is a solid offensive player all-around, with emphasis on his playmaking ability. He can play at both ends and unlike your stereotypical small forward, Granlund plays with intensity and plays physical. He’ll give that hit to make the play, or even take one.

His skating has been is knock ever since his draft year, but his full-speed doesn’t seem to be a liability. While he isn’t as fast as you want from a 5’10" player, Granlund is so smart that he knows how to get into the right places. He also knows how to create them when he is in the offensive zone, setting plays from behind the net or in front of it.

Future

He has a great chance of becoming a top six forward in the NHL. He has everything going for him and hasn’t slowed down since being drafted. In fact, I would say, he stepped up, winning the FEL Championship and WC Championship as a youngster. I still wonder if the Wild still hopes for him to become a center or a winger and whether his game will translate into a star NHLer or just a good top six forward.

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Comments

Remember that one time he scored 5 points...

IN A FRIGGIN PERIOD

Unashamed Alex Burrows Fanboy, MN Wild Lover, and believer in the FLA Cats Blueprint

by JMarushin on Aug 8, 2011 1:23 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Spurgeon

Spurgeon has proven himself as a top NHL player. Scandella is a good prospect but at this time, Spurgeon is a much better player. In fact, I think Spurgeon may be the best player in the Wild organization.

by Louis de Pitera on Aug 8, 2011 2:18 PM CDT reply actions

Odd comment for this story. Niether player is mentioned. Also you may be delusional if you think Spuergeon is a better prospect than Granlund(if that is what you are implying by talking about Spurgeon in a Granlund post).

by ThatGuy22 on Aug 8, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Ummm no.

He’s damn good for sure, but best in the organization? That’s a hell of a stretch. Granlund is projected to become one of the best all-time Finns. Also, at the very least, Koivu, Heatley, Backstrom, PMB, Schultz, Setoguchi… all better than Spurgeon.

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by JSLandry on Aug 8, 2011 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Can't wait!

I like him at wing with a bigger center

by Kingpin45 on Aug 9, 2011 12:48 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly!

I’m thinking Phillips down the middle with Granlund and Larsson on either side. I’m also intrigued with the idea of a Granlund/Phillips/Lehtonen line, too. Could be interesting!

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by wild4life on Aug 9, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Granlund/Koivu/Lehtonen

ALL FINN ALL THE TIME

Unashamed Alex Burrows Fanboy, MN Wild Lover, and believer in the FLA Cats Blueprint

by JMarushin on Aug 9, 2011 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions

You do Know

Lehtonen probably wont play for the wild, Ever.

by wild32384 on Aug 9, 2011 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions

This

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by JSLandry on Aug 9, 2011 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions

A guy can dream can't he?

Unashamed Alex Burrows Fanboy, MN Wild Lover, and believer in the FLA Cats Blueprint

by JMarushin on Aug 9, 2011 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I was dreaming

last year when we acquired him last season. But I am also a realist, and he got a 3 year deal in the KHL. I think.

by wild32384 on Aug 9, 2011 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes. Exactly. Lehtonen looks to be gone. Unfortunately.

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by BReynolds on Aug 10, 2011 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Although

I hope the Wild doesn’t traded or release his rights. After he makes some money in the KHL and if he is does very well, he could go for one last shot at the NHL after this contract. He would only be like 26/27. I’m not holding my breath, but stranger things have happened.

by ThatGuy22 on Aug 10, 2011 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions

While I doubt they could realistically move him for any value right now...

I don’t think there is much of a chance to your scenario. Primarily in 3 years, you hope to see:

Koivu, Setoguchi, Granlund, Coyle, Larsson, Zucker, Phillips, maybe another guy or two internally developed or a trade, trying to lock down top 6 positions. If Lehtonen had really thought he had a shot as a scoring winger for the Wild, he would have tried to make the team this year. Things will start to get filled up with younger guys who the Wild are invested in over the next few years.

by Krotz the Wall on Aug 10, 2011 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't either

But, it is likely he knew there was a good chane he would start out in the AHL making scraps and have to play his way onto the team. Where as he could go to the KHL and get a payday right now. So he takes his payday, plays it out. If he scores in the KHL like he did in the SEL for the next 3 years, and tells the CF. I want to come over and play against the best, are they going to turn a scoring winger away? Doubtful. I’m just saying hold onto his rights, because like you said they have no value in trade and IF he decides to comeback he is a scoring winger who would still be a semi-cheap RFA.

by ThatGuy22 on Aug 10, 2011 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions

This probably goes without saying but

All this is dependent on how he does in the KHL. If he can’t hack it there, by all means cut him because than he sure won’t be able to handle the NHL. But if lights up the scoreboard, hold onto those rights.

by ThatGuy22 on Aug 10, 2011 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Unless a whole bunch of guys don't pan out...

I really do think they’d turn away a scoring winger who doesn’t seem to have a defensive game or inclination. I’m sure they’ll hold on to the guys rights, because it doesn’t cost them anything to do so. If he sucks it up over in Russia, they’ll probably let his rights lapse.

by Krotz the Wall on Aug 10, 2011 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

So he's Pierre-Marc Bouchard?

Maybe with a little extra physicality? Not that I dislike PMB, but a guy with that as his ceiling isn’t terribly exciting to me.

by timprov on Aug 10, 2011 1:35 PM CDT reply actions

2 things in response to that.

1. I don’t know that we’ve ever seen PMB ever really hit his potential. We might see that this year given health and good players on his line. Still, that last season on the same line with Rolston was a pretty good season.

2. Take PMB’s skills, but give him a better two-way game, more spirit and aggression in his playing style, and the so far ability to raise his game, take over play, and help his team to victories and championships… that’s a player that I’m pretty intrigued to see. Another player he is often compared to is Saku Koivu, who has had a pretty nice career, despite a battle with cancer and the injury bug.

by Krotz the Wall on Aug 10, 2011 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions

PMB scored 63 points in 81 games

Exciting or not, that is one very good player to have on a team. Personally, I find that very exciting.

But no. Not just a LITTLE extra physicality. You know how PMB likes to circle around, stay in the perimeter looking for passes? Granlund has that playmaking skill but mixed with willingness to drive in the dirty areas, along the boards, gives and takes hits to make the play and is PHYSICALLY stronger than PMB. More bulk means more ability to take punishment, protect the puck and make plays happen.

So while I think PMB is an exciting player (you should too :D), Granlund ceiling is higher. A PMB+ prospect

But remember, he’s still a prospect. But he has done nothing to create doubt since drafted. In fact, he may have elevated people’s view of him

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by danccchan on Aug 10, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I watched everyone of those Finland games in the IIHF World Championships that was on TV and I will say, with the exception of height I see nothing in there game that is too similiar. PMB likes to get fancy with the puck and dance around with it. Granlund seemed to always know where he wanted to go with it as soon as he got it and was not afraid to get dirty.

Also if you want to get excited, compare his SM-Liiga stats with other Fins at that age. Other than Teemu and Saku, no one else is even close to his production as a 17 and 18 year old.

by ThatGuy22 on Aug 10, 2011 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions