Gone Wild: When will Fiala sign?

ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 25: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Minnesota Wild controls the puck as Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators and Rem Pitlick #16 of the Nashville Predators give chase during a game at Xcel Energy Center on March 25, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 25: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Minnesota Wild controls the puck as Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators and Rem Pitlick #16 of the Nashville Predators give chase during a game at Xcel Energy Center on March 25, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)

It’s time for this week’s “Gone Wild” our weekly mailbag here on Gone Puck Wild. Lets get down to business and thanks for those questions!

I think Kevin Fiala will receive a contract similar to the one that Ryan Donato received in July. Donato signed a two-year, $3.8 million contact (1.9 AAV) and I think that’s along the lines of the same type of deal Fiala will receive. However, Fiala may be looking for more, which would explain why a deal hasn’t materialized yet. If I’m the Wild I may be willing to go up a little further in money. I did not hear that. With training camp right around the corner, one would think a deal will be completed soon.

Can’t wait! Also can’t wait to bring great coverage of the Wild to this website. It’s going to be a fun season and I’m looking forward to interacting with all of the followers of Gone Puck Wild.

The last time I was asked this question I answered with Ryan Suter.

"It’s probably not the hottest of takes, but I think the captain for the Wild in the 2020-2021 season will be defenseman, Ryan Suter. Suter will be 35 years old when the 2020-2021 season rolls around and I think he’ll still be playing at a high level."

I still think Suter is a very good possibility, but I’m going to change my answer to Zach Parise. The more and more I think about it, the more and more I think Parise makes perfect sense to be the next captain of the Wild. I truly think he is the heart and soul of this team. He plays the game the right way. He plays like his hair is on fire. He’s a Minnesota boy. I just think it makes sense for him to be the next captain of the Wild.

I think that will depend on the progression of Luke Kunin and if Eric Staal has a bounce back season. I expect this will be the last season in Minnesota for Mikko Koivu. The Wild will more than likely have a need for a center next offseason and if Kunin struggles and Staal shows signs of age and regression, why not bring back Mikael Granlund?