Minnesota Wild: Season Review Mikael Granlund

Part 1 in a review of every player on the current Minnesota Wild roster and their outlook for next season.

Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund played outstanding this year. He really took the next step in his development and seemed to finally blossom playing on the wing. The line combination of him, Koivu, and Zucker produced some of the best hockey the franchise has ever seen.

Regular Season

During the season in which he turned 25 years old, he topped his previous career high in points by 25, scoring 69 points during the 2016-17 season. Included in those numbers are 26 goals and 43 assists, both of which are also career highs.

His 14.7% shooting percentage was a big step up from a previous high of 8.1%. It will be worth monitoring whether Granlund can keep up that percentage or regress.

Give him credit though, going into a contract year Granlund went out and performed. Most likely earning himself a nice raise in the process. The team will make him a protected forward from the Expansion Draft this summer.

More from Analysis

• Here we go. Minnesota Wild head into pivotal Game 5 matchup
• Yeah, Game 2 was ugly. How will the Minnesota Wild respond at home?
• Fleury injury just the latest hurdle for the struggling Minnesota Wild so far
• Minnesota Wild to get a test with challenging homestand
• Minnesota Wild: Filip Gustavsson gets his time to shine in net

Playoffs

In the playoffs, Granlund was largely a nonfactor. As one of the team’s top goal scorers, the team needed him to put the puck in the net. Something the Fin failed to do during the five game series.

I will acknowledge the toughness he showed playing through a broken hand during the playoffs but at the same time for a player who averaged close to a point a game, 2 assists is not acceptable production.

Outlook

Granlund will be 25 until late February next year, and his hockey prime will last until he is about 32. The team has to make every effort to resign him. He is  a restricted free agent so the Wild cannot afford to play around.

Next: 2018 NHL Draft: Report card grades for every team

Sign him to an offer and avoid any hold out situation that could possibly affect the team. The playoff performance is a little concerning but he has produced in big situations in the past. Chalk it up to a hand injury which most likely impacted his production.