The Minnesota Wild and Kevin Fiala have come to an agreement. It was announced earlier today that the Wild have re-signed Kevin Fiala to a one-year, $5.1 million deal and with that, avoid arbitration.
It was reported over the weekend that the Wild and Fiala’s camp had exchanged numbers, being that Fiala’s camp was seeking $6.25 million while the Wild were look for $4 million. After todays announcement, that sides have seemed to meet right in the middle.
Although it is only a one year deal for Fiala, it’s workable for the Wild as well Fiala, Fiala will be an RFA again next off-season and the Wild have an entire season to prepare for that negotiation and hopefully have a solution well before the off-season hits.
This is a great deal for Fiala, whom of which is coming off of his 3rd 20 goal season since cracking into the NHL, it gives him the opportunity to show the Wild he is an elite forward and can continue to produce those kind of numbers at this level.
An update on Kirill Kaprizov…
This is only half the road for the Minnesota Wild in terms of contract negotiations as they still have a ever continuing twisting and turning road with RFA Calder trophy winner, Kirill Kaprizov.
Michael Russo of TheAthletic reported that the Wild are unlikely to get the 7 or 8 year deal they originally pursued for their young star, instead probably looking to settle in the 4 to 6 year range in the case of contract term.
As per Russo’s tweet, the Wild not being worried by the earlier reported and bluffed KHL threat is good for them. Bill Guerin has been in the game for a long time and is most likely used to this kind of stuff and knows better not to blink. It would appear as of now, the Minnesota Wild are handling their business as usual and getting Kevin Fiala re-signed is a huge step in the road.