Minnesota Wild: Folin Must Play Better to Stay with the Wild

Defenseman Christian Folin is looking to be a part of the future of the Wild defense for years to come.  But with two excellent defensive prospects climbing fast up the Wild depth chart and virtually NHL ready now, Folin have to step up his play to earn that future with the team.

There’s been no doubt that the Minnesota Wild have one of the best groups of defenders in the NHL.  From top to bottom the defensive depth chart of the Wild roster is flush with excellent talent.  And with players like Mike Reilly and Gustav Olofsson ready to take their place with the big club in Minnesota you can see this group being strong for years to come.  Their accession to the NHL could come as soon as next season sometime, and seems like a lock for them to start their full-time NHL careers in the 2017-18 season.

As things stands for this season, the Wild have five of their six starting defensemen signed to multi-year deals and their spots are solidified.  That sixth spot will be filled by a time sharing of veteran Nate Prosser, Reilly, Olofsson, and Christian Folin.

The undrafted free-agent from U-Mass Lowell Folin has shown some promise in his two half seasons in the NHL.  Last season though he seemed to fall off a bit from his first 40 games in 2014-15, and only posted 4 points in 26 games played.  Granted he was struggling to find consistent play as he was forced to wait for playing time with Reilly and Prosser getting some starts, but it seemed that taking a step back statistically was not what he needed to secure a more playing time this season.

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Now with a new coaching staff it could mean even more trouble for Folin.  One thing that Bruce Boudreau is a big believer in is that ice time is the best motivator he has.  If Folin wants to play he’ll need to earn that playing time, and this season that playing time becomes critical as he’ll be looking to position himself as he looks to sign a free-agent deal in the upcoming offseason.  With talented prospects in Reilly and Olofsson waiting to take his roster spot, he’ll need to step things up if he wants to remain with the Wild past next season.

Folin can do it.  He a more physical player than Reilly and Olofsson and can use that to his advantage if the points aren’t going to be easy to come by.  Scott Stevens played a physical game too and it stands to reason that he might be looking for a few defenders like that to fit into his scheme.  But playing time will be an issue for him again this season like it was last season, so he’ll need to make the most of the time given to him.

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There is a place for Folin on the Wild after next season, but he’ll have to earn it.  He could easily be a depth defenseman in the coming years after this season, but the issue for him is that there are talented youngsters nipping at his heels.  Even if one of the top five defenders is moved this season or next offseason, he still has the issue long term that the Wild currently have two players that will crack the starting defensive lineup.  It’s not a matter of it, it’s a matter of when.

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Long story short is that Folin needs to play better to stay with the Wild.  He’s facing an uphill battle and the performance of last season will not be enough to secure his future.  If he’s not up to the task look for the Wild to move him via trade during the season, or next offseason.  A non-tender may not be in his future, but a trade certainly is a possibility.  Only time and Folin will tell what will happen.