At first, Granlund was getting knocked around like crazy and generating zero offense, as was everyone else not named Koivu, Parise, or Heatley.
Granlund got sent to the fourth line briefly, where he played a little better, still not generating much offense, but wasn't getting beat up. Again, nobody outside the top line was scoring.
Then he spent a bit of time at wing on the third line, where he started to generate a little bit of offense, got a few points, was playing physical, and dumping the puck more. Here is where the top line went cold and the second line started scoring.
He got a chance to play center for a few games on the third line, where he generated little offense, was not involved in the play at even strength, and was terrible defensively. He did start getting some PP time though, and he showed some flashes of good play, still wasn't putting up points.
Finally he was scratched a few games and then sent to the minors.
Personally, I think he was learning to play a grinder's game on the 3rd/4th line. I think it would suit him better to play 20+ minutes a game in the minors and keep developing his skill on the smaller rink in a more physical league. We don't need him mastering the chip and chase, we need that on-ice vision and playmaking along with the wrist shot when he has time and space.
He might not have been put in the ideal situation for success, but he was given a very good shot. He was given the second line center spot out of camp. They tried him at wing and on the PP. He looked better through the year, but never became an impact player.
He's not the first high end prospect to go to the minors and won't be the last. The Wild is an NHL team, not a development team. He still needs to improve to really earn his spot and realize his potential.
That post sums it up pretty good i think. Original reason i posted in this thread was because i noticed many people whining about either MG or Minnesota destroying him, most of them finns tbh. I think it just has to do with being first prospect out of Finland in a long time that has serious offensive upside as well as the Finnish media hyping him up to the point where everybody and their mother thinks he's the next coming of Gretzky. (hyperbole)
Not even going to respond to your mindless bashing of the club, maybe you should accept that Granlund is not the only thing Minnesota has to worry about.
He got a chance to play center for a few games on the third line, where he generated little offense, was not involved in the play at even strength, and was terrible defensively. He did start getting some PP time though, and he showed some flashes of good play, still wasn't putting up points.
Finally he was scratched a few games and then sent to the minors.
I don't agree with this at all. His last 2 games were absolutely the best he had played in the Wild. With a limited ice time he managed to generate maybe the 2nd or 3rd most chances for his team and he did not look bad defensively. Yes, he got -3 in the last game he played but only 1 of the goals was partly his fault. That's why I was so disappointed to see him got thrown out of the lineup because I felt - for the first time this season - I finally saw the old Mikke playing out there.
Anyway, since Yeo didn't trust in him it's better for Granlund to play in the minors. I propably will never understand why he wasn't playing wing (I wanted to see him there after the first 3 games) where he has been the most effective in his career. But whatever...
That post sums it up pretty good i think. Original reason i posted in this thread was because i noticed many people whining about either MG or Minnesota destroying him, most of them finns tbh. I think it just has to do with being first prospect out of Finland in a long time that has serious offensive upside as well as the Finnish media hyping him up to the point where everybody and their mother thinks he's the next coming of Gretzky. (hyperbole)
The hype reached ridiculous proportions, but at the same time so did the bashing. There are a lot of Finns who flat out wanted to see him fail and they'd like nothing more than for him to take the next flight to Helsinki and so they'd be able to tell people "I knew it." That's at least as ridiculous as comparing him to Gretzky or Crosby and it's actually more pathetic.
I don't agree with the Wild's decision to play him at center from the start and I hope they change their minds about it. Meanwhile, Granlund needs to play big minutes in an offensive role, not sit in the press box eating pop corn. He may not even be back in the NHL this season.
Nothing has been lost or gained yet with Granlund and people have seriously overreacted both ways. During his time in the NHL he did show improvement in some areas and showed that he can adapt, but it will take time and he needs to work on his physique. He also seems to be afraid of getting hit and being concussed again, which is understandable but something he needs to get over. When he's confident enough and sure of his skills, he won't be afraid anymore.
I think he is too small for the NHL. And will have to play his game differently.
He might be able to put up Sam Gagner numbers somewhere in the future, they do have similar body sizes and skill levels.
I think he is too small for the NHL. And will have to play his game differently.
He might be able to put up Sam Gagner numbers somewhere in the future, they do have similar body sizes and skill levels.
There's been, what, less of a day since Marty St. Louis won the Art(hritis) Ross trophy and you make a comment like that?
There's been, what, less of a day since Marty St. Louis won the Art(hritis) Ross trophy and you make a comment like that?
I didn't say smaller players can't play in the NHL.
I'm just saying that he has to change his game up to succeed, he just doesn't have as much skill as we had previously thought to succeed in the NHL at his current playstyle.
I didn't say smaller players can't play in the NHL.
I'm just saying that he has to change his game up to succeed, he just doesn't have as much skill as we had previously thought to succeed in the NHL at his current playstyle.
The first sentence in your last post is: "I think he is too small for the NHL."
At most maybe a few pounds, but anyone who thinks a players first taste of hockey in the NHL is anything more than that, would have thrown Stamkos to the wolves. He needs experience and patience.
Believe it or not, it's not the NHL's size that has been a problem for Granlund. Yes, he's got knocked around like any other rookie.
It's the speed of the NHL that he's had the most trouble with. He is slowly learning that he has to never stop moving his feet and to make plays at full speed. He'll pick it up, but it's going to take some time.
There's been, what, less of a day since Marty St. Louis won the Art(hritis) Ross trophy and you make a comment like that?
I get the point, but I don't think St. Louis is so good as a comparison, because he was (or still is?) one of the best and fastest skaters in the whole league, so that compensates a lot for the size. Granlund then again have had some problems with the skating and will most likely never excel in that area.
Granlund has been overhyped for a long time. Before this season began, some even thought he would win the Calder. At that time, I thought he would be lucky to stick in the NHL for the entire season and I was correct.
Even at his last WJC, he had trouble when other teams would get physical with him. It is the lack of size and speed combination that is hurting him. His first few steps are slow and so when he receives the puck, its not hard for the defender to quickly close in on him...at that point Granlund is in trouble. If he can improve his skating, he might become a decend 2nd line player. All this nonsense about him becoming a star was just that, nonsense.
Granlund has been overhyped for a long time. Before this season began, some even thought he would win the Calder. At that time, I thought he would be lucky to stick in the NHL for the entire season and I was correct.
Even at his last WJC, he had trouble when other teams would get physical with him. It is the lack of size and speed combination that is hurting him. His first few steps are slow and so when he receives the puck, its not hard for the defender to quickly close in on him...at that point Granlund is in trouble. If he can improve his skating, he might become a decend 2nd line player. All this nonsense about him becoming a star was just that, nonsense.
Good points, but it's still too early to say that he isn't going to be a star in the future. It's not like Granlund is the only player who have had problems as a rookie.
