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The Granlund Era Has Begun in Minnesota. Will it Matter?

May 23, 2012, 1:47 PM ET [20 Comments]
Brad Ratgen
Minnesota Wild Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Not since Marian Gaborik has a draft pick signing with the Wild, the team that drafted him, generated as much interest among Minnesota Wild fans. Many are ready for the infusion of youth that we are about to see over the next few seasons as the Wild possibly turn the franchise around. Their savior this time around is Mikael Granlund. The main question I have is will he have the ability to stay healthy in the much more competitive NHL as compared to SM-liiga, the Finnish Elite League. Wild players have been much encumbered by various long-term injuries to top players. And, it should be noted, Granlund sustained a concussion this season in Finland. At 5'10" and 180 pounds, he is smaller in stature compared to the average NHL-er which, according to 2010 NHL stats, is at least 6' 1" and north of 200 pounds. Also, this past season, he missed over 2 months due to a concussion. In order for Granlund to become the impact NHL player many scouts see him being, he will have to find a way to stay healthy and as injury free as possible.

Will Granlund be the savior of the Minnesota Wild? Time will tell. However, it will be fun seeing the infusion of the Fletcher-led youth movement over the next few seasons. For now, Granlund is certainly the head of the class as the newcomers are concerned. Granlund leads the incoming class of players including Charlie Coyle, Jonas Brodin, Johan Larsson, Brett Bulmer, Jason Zucker and Zack Phillips.

Here's the press release from the Minnesota Wild:

MINNESOTA WILD SIGNS FORWARD
MIKAEL GRANLUND TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT
GRANLUND SECOND RATED PROSPECT IN THE HOCKEY NEWS 2012 FUTURE WATCH

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed forward Mikael Granlund (pronounced mih-KIGH-uhl GRAN-lund) to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Granlund, 20 (2/26/92), collected 51 points (20-31=51) in 45 games with HIFK Helsinki in the SM-Liiga (Finland) this season. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound native of Oulu, Finland, ranked sixth in the league in scoring, seventh in assists and 11th in goals despite missing 15 games due to injury. Granlund served as captain for Finland at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship and ranked tied for second in tournament scoring with 11 points (2-9=11) in seven matches. He also played for Finland at the 2012 IIHF World Championship registering five points (1-4=5) in 10 games.

Granlund tallied 36 points (8-28=36) in 39 games with HIFK Helsinki in 2010-11 and helped lead the team to the playoff championship scoring 16 points (5-11=16) in 15 playoff games. He led the league in assists and ranked tied for first in playoff scoring. Granlund also won a gold medal with Finland at the 2011 IIHF World Championship ranking second on the team in scoring with nine points (2-7=9) in nine contests.

He was named the Rookie of the Year in 2009-10 after scoring 40 points (13-27=40) in 43 games with HIFK Helsinki. Granlund also competed for Finland in the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2010 IIHF U18 Championship. He led Finland in scoring at the Junior Championship with seven points (1-6=7) in six games and ranked third in tournament scoring at the U18 Championship with 13 points (4-9=13) in six contests.

Granlund was selected by Minnesota in the first round (9th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
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