Minnesota Wild: Mikael Granlund has been sneaky good of late
By Luke Ryan
When you think of the Minnesota Wild, Mikael Granlund isn’t necessarily the first player that pops into your head.
More likely it’s Ryan Suter, Devan Dubnyk, Jason Zucker, Zach Parise or Matt Dumba; all the Minnesota Wild names that get hyped a lot of mentioned regularly by the various media outlets. Anyone but Mikael Granlund, basically.
What has gone somewhat unnoticed is the point streak that another member of the Minnesota Wild has been embarking on. Mikael Granlund now has scored points in seven consecutive games; a feat that definitely shouldn’t be sniffed at.
In fact, in his last nine games, he has a total of 12 points. Not a bad return at all.
He finds himself most regularly deployed at even-strength with Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu, so it’s hard to argue that it’s necessarily his teammates driving such high points production.
Not to say that Koivu or Parise aren’t good players, but it’s hardly like they’re a Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby-type player that elevates the game of all partnered with them.
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It’s all quite a bit simpler than that. Mikael Granlund, who possessed a career average shooting percentage of 10.6% is currently putting the puck home with an elevated percentage of 23.1%.
We talked about Zach Parise maybe being this year’s Eric Staal; replicating the big points of Staal last season. Who knows, maybe Mikael Granlund is this year’s Staal!
Maybe it’s part to do with usage, maybe he’s this season’s version of William Karlsson, who managed to rock a remarkably non-average shooting percentage (for him) all year for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Either way, as long as it continues, the Minnesota Wild will remain headed in the right direction.
The sheer fact that he is below the radar for most people indicate how well he plays on a regular basis; he does the little things right and doesn’t get called out for nasty puck giveaways or silly penalties. At least, not very often anyway.
A Corsi For of 47.6% doesn’t place him in anywhere near elite company for the team’s control of Shot Attempts and in general, none of his other stat-lines scream out elite production.
However, when it counts this season, he knows how to make the play or to put the puck home.
Next. Week four Power Rankings showing positive trend. dark
Long may he continue to fly under the radar. Sneaky good players are the best! Always great in a fantasy league too!
Statistics courtesy of NHL.com and Dobber Sports.