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Wild Sign Beckman and Giroux to ELCs

March 23, 2020, 4:58 PM ET [1 Comments]
Dan Wallace
Minnesota Wild Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Wild prospect pool has been getting deeper over the last few seasons and two of those gems were inked to their entry-level contracts. Adam Beckman and Damien Giroux were signed to 3-year deals.

Beckman the leading scorer in the Western Hockey League, led the Spokane Chiefs with 48 goals and 107 points in 63 games, capturing the Bob Clarke trophy in the process as the league's leading scorer. Giroux scored 44 goals in 61 games to lead the Saginaw Spitit of the OHL.

Beckman was drafted in the 3rd round #75 overall in 2019, while Giroux was selected in the 5th round #155 overall in the 2018 draft. Both draft choices are credited to former Wild GM, Paul Fenton, who has left his mark on the franchise despite his short tenure and abrupt departure last Summer.

Fenton had his flaws but most of the personnel decisions involving players have made the overall franchise talent level far better than when he arrived back in the Spring of 2018.

None more obvious than Kevin Fiala who before the shutdown was one of the hottest scorers in the NHL and developing into a highlight real star. Ryan Donato has produced 14 goals with limited ice time. When he does get his opportunities he is typically making something happen offensively.

Victor Rask has proved to be an asset as well, despite the fact that his offense is minimal. Brad Hunt has been fantastic since he was rescued from the Vegas press box last season. Hunt's eight goals and 19 points along with his solid play on the third Wild d-pair was much needed with Greg Pateryn's injury issues.

The guys that were shipped out by Fenton were Niederreiter, Coyle, and Granlund who have combined for 43 goals this season for their respective clubs. Niederreiter clicked early with his new Hurricanes team last season causing many Wild fans to loathe the deal that brought Rask in return for the popular Wild winger. Nino has since reverted back to the production level he displayed through much of his final two seasons in Minnesota netting just 11 goals this season prior to the shut down.

Coyle has been pretty much the same player in Boston that he was here a very reliable third liner that shows flashes of being a take charge player but at the end of the day not the top six forward the Wild had hoped he would blossom into.

Granlund has just recently started to pick up his offense since his trade to Nashville but has fallen far off the scoring pace he had established with the Wild. On top of his production dip, Granlund is set to become an unrestricted free agent this Summer.

Throw in the Hunt deal and I would say that Fenton did pretty well with his player personnel moves.

Hopefully the NHL season will resume at some point and we can see some competitive hockey in our near future. Until then keep up the positive attitudes and help someone else in need. This is a time we can all pull together and help our family, friends, and neighbors.

Stay vigilant and safe my friends
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