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!
What do you think fiala's AAV will be? What do you think it should be? Did you hear boudreau say "if Fiala signs with us" during brusso radio?
— von Truschinsky (@hockeyleef) September 6, 2019
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.
How great is it that Wild Hockey will be back in a month?
— Lake Martin (@SmallBodyOWater) September 6, 2019
Also who is the next Captain after Koivu?
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?