Brad Ratgen: The Granlund Era Has Begun in Minnesota. Will it Matter? Press release from the Minnesota Wild and the blogger's thoughts on the signing of Granlund.

Just to get the ball rolling here, what's the deal with the Wild offering an autographed Granlund jersey to the next 64 new Wild season ticket holders? What about those of us, myself included thanks to my friend Neil Sheehy, who have been season ticket holders since the very beginning? Where's the love? Feeling a bit taken for granted here.

Also, I read on a website that Granlund's comparison is Saku Koivu. Is that anything to get really excited about? I don't believe he has ever led his team to a Stanley Cup championship. Isn't that all that matters in the end? Some teams try to compete. Some teams compete for the Stanley Cup.

Oh, and by the way, to those whom this matters: FIRST!

Just to get the ball rolling here, what's the deal with the Wild offering an autographed Granlund jersey to the next 64 new Wild season ticket holders? What about those of us, myself included thanks to my friend Neil Sheehy, who have been season ticket holders since the very beginning? Where's the love? Feeling a bit taken for granted here.

Also, I read on a website that Granlund's comparison is Saku Koivu. Is that anything to get really excited about? I don't believe he has ever led his team to a Stanley Cup championship. Isn't that all that matters in the end? Some teams try to compete. Some teams compete for the Stanley Cup.

Oh, and by the way, to those whom this matters: FIRST!
- Brad Ratgen

Time to get rid of Heatley....

Just to get the ball rolling here, what's the deal with the Wild offering an autographed Granlund jersey to the next 64 new Wild season ticket holders? What about those of us, myself included thanks to my friend Neil Sheehy, who have been season ticket holders since the very beginning? Where's the love? Feeling a bit taken for granted here.

Also, I read on a website that Granlund's comparison is Saku Koivu. Is that anything to get really excited about? I don't believe he has ever led his team to a Stanley Cup championship. Isn't that all that matters in the end? Some teams try to compete. Some teams compete for the Stanley Cup.

Oh, and by the way, to those whom this matters: FIRST!
- Brad Ratgen

First off...nice name dropping.

Secondly if he becomes another Koivu, then the Wild are closer to a cup now than they were two days ago.

Also, I read on a website that Granlund's comparison is Saku Koivu. Is that anything to get really excited about? I don't believe he has ever led his team to a Stanley Cup championship. Isn't that all that matters in the end?
- Brad Ratgen

Both Koivu brothers are natural born leaders, and great captains. Saku wasted his best years surrounded by crappy players in Montreal, Mikko is doing the same with the Wild now.

Granlund leads the incoming class of players including Charlie Coyle, Jonas Brodin, Johan Larsson, Brett Bulmer, Jason Zucker and Zack Phillips.

Just to get the ball rolling here, what's the deal with the Wild offering an autographed Granlund jersey to the next 64 new Wild season ticket holders? What about those of us, myself included thanks to my friend Neil Sheehy, who have been season ticket holders since the very beginning? Where's the love? Feeling a bit taken for granted here.

Also, I read on a website that Granlund's comparison is Saku Koivu. Is that anything to get really excited about? I don't believe he has ever led his team to a Stanley Cup championship. Isn't that all that matters in the end? Some teams try to compete. Some teams compete for the Stanley Cup.

Oh, and by the way, to those whom this matters: FIRST!
- Brad Ratgen

You are already sucked in why would the reward you when they know you aren' going anywere?

As for Granlund I think he's going to need time. Koivu was a good 20 points better than anyone his last year in SM-liiga, granted Granlund has been good I don't know that he's that good.

Granlund leads the incoming class of players including Charlie Coyle, Jonas Brodin, Johan Larsson, Brett Bulmer, Jason Zucker and Zack Phillips.
- Brad Ratgen

That's a nice group of prospects, especially if you include this year's first rounder. Should get at least a couple of quality players out of that group.

Firsting your own blog is gayer than a rainbow fanny pack full of Richards.

First off...nice name dropping.

Secondly if he becomes another Koivu, then the Wild are closer to a cup now than they were two days ago.
- stormeyAlterEgo

Yeah, Koivu was a very good player in Montreal. They could do a lot worse than have him be another Koivu.

You are already sucked in why would the reward you when they know you aren' going anywere?

As for Granlund I think he's going to need time. Koivu was a good 20 points better than anyone his last year in SM-liiga, granted Granlund has been good I don't know that he's that good.
- Lahey

Don't worry, you'll soon see...

Granlund > RNH

That's a nice group of prospects, especially if you include this year's first rounder. Should get at least a couple of quality players out of that group.
- Jack-artist

should trade coyle/Bulmer, with Hardings rights to CGY for granlund and jokinens rights

let the brothers play together

should trade coyle/Bulmer, with Hardings rights to CGY for granlund and jokinens rights

let the brothers play together
- numbear

You're probably not gonna get Coyle out of there with that package.

should trade coyle/Bulmer, with Hardings rights to CGY for granlund and jokinens rights

let the brothers play together
- numbear

Nice try. FYI, Risebrough doesn't work for the Wild anymore. Go try to play those guys off on the Rangers, his current employer.

6 months ago I considered Granlund the strongest candidates for the 2012-2013 Calder trophy, but ever since new year he's faced some troubles.

Granlund's play in the Finnish league wasn't up to his usual excellence, his team HIFK got knocked out during the first round of playoffs, and his performance in the World Championships was a big disappointment too (especially compared to last year where he was one of the best players in the tournament, scoring that memorable goal against Russia etc)...

I still think he'll be a good player, but the last six months have raised some doubts about his development.

Will Granlund be the savior of the Minnesota Wild?
- Brad Ratgen

They need more than one. Hopefully, there will be more to look forward to than just Granlund. If not, I fear unreasonable expectations may be placed on him.

First off, Granlund doesn't need to be the savior. He needs to be a top-6 forward. He'll be that.

The reasoning: Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker are also top six forwards in the near future. The Wild will need to rely on those three to provide the team with offensive depth not seen... ever.

If Phillips and Bulmer become NHL players, that's just a huge plus. And after this past year, it looks like Bulmer will at least be a third line contributor.

Fletcher has his faults as GM, but the dude is simply astounding at the draft and at evaluating prospects. With the 7th overall pick this year, I think the Wild will add at least another two future NHL players.

Secondly, the reviews on Granlund are mixed as they are with most European prospects. If he becomes another Saku Koivu, the team suddenly has a legitimate 1-2 punch of two-way centers. That's a good thing. If he's better, even better for the Wild.

The changing of the guard is on in Minnesota, and while it may take another year and there may be more hiccups along the way (see trading Leddy), I think there is plenty of reason for excitement in Minnesota.

First off, Granlund doesn't need to be the savior. He needs to be a top-6 forward. He'll be that.

The reasoning: Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker are also top six forwards in the near future. The Wild will need to rely on those three to provide the team with offensive depth not seen... ever.

If Phillips and Bulmer become NHL players, that's just a huge plus. And after this past year, it looks like Bulmer will at least be a third line contributor.

Fletcher has his faults as GM, but the dude is simply astounding at the draft and at evaluating prospects. With the 7th overall pick this year, I think the Wild will add at least another two future NHL players.

Secondly, the reviews on Granlund are mixed as they are with most European prospects. If he becomes another Saku Koivu, the team suddenly has a legitimate 1-2 punch of two-way centers. That's a good thing. If he's better, even better for the Wild.

The changing of the guard is on in Minnesota, and while it may take another year and there may be more hiccups along the way (see trading Leddy), I think there is plenty of reason for excitement in Minnesota.
- NorthwoodsWriter

As a sea dogs fan, Coyle is a first line winger with size as early as 2013 or 2014. the guy is literally the complete package, and will make the Burns trade look like a steal someday very soon.

Phillips could end up almost anywhere, either by maxing out his potential as a productive top 6 forward, or as an AHL star. Personally, I feel like he will be at least a very good third line center for the wild. He has all the mental tools and the naturally gifted hands, that's the stuff you can't teach. With a top-tier trainer and some more time to mature, sky is the limit.

With a future top 9 of
Heatley-Koivu-Coyle
Zucker-Granlund-Seto
Phillips-Brodziak-Bouchard

The wild could be looking scary in the near future. For me personally, they have a real shot at taking over my #2 spot for teams I like from Philly, especially if they ditch that bum Heatley. ( )

Keeping drafting and acquiring those sea dogs, you can't go wrong!

With a future top 9 of
Heatley-Koivu-Coyle
Zucker-Granlund-Seto
Phillips-Brodziak-Bouchard

- TommyDeVito

I don't think you'll ever see those nine guys healthy and playing together on this team.

I don't think you'll ever see those nine guys healthy and playing together on this team.
- Chinaski

Hopefully something like...

Parise-Koivu-Zucker
Seto-Granlund-Coyle
Clutterbuk-Brodziak-Bulmer

I don't think so. I can see him turning out to be another Bouchard with the heart of Brunnette. He will be a great player to have in the locker room if he picks up any leadership skills from his fellow Finlander Koivu, but at the end of the day, he won't be a game changer like the Wild need. Sad to say that, but I'm hoping with Coyle and the rest of the talent coming up, he will mesh well with that group, and HOPEFULLY, they will be succeed in something. Something to give us to cheer about for once