Kevin Fiala News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/kevin-fiala/ Minnesota sports, but different Thu, 30 Jun 2022 00:37:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Kevin Fiala News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/kevin-fiala/ 32 32 Kevin Fiala Dealt to Kings for 1st Rnd Pick + Gophers Defenseman https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/kevin-fiala-traded-to-kings-for-1st-round-pick-gophers-defenseman-brock-faber/ Wed, 29 Jun 2022 20:52:41 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=39531 The Kevin Fiala pot was simmering on Wednesday morning, when it was first reported that trade talks surrounding the Minnesota Wild winger were heating up. It didn’t take long for rumors to boil over and a deal to come to fruition.

Minutes ago, Michael Russo (The Athletic) reported that Kevin Fiala had been traded to the LA Kings. In return, the Wild received the 19th overall pick in the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft and the rights to 19-year-old Minnesota Gophers Captain defenseman, Brock Faber.

Brock Faber

Faber is a former 2nd round Kings draft pick (#45 overall). He has blossomed in recent seasons with the Minnesota Gophers and in international play. According to EliteProspects.com, the Maple Grove native is 6-0 tall and currently weighs in at 190 lbs.

The Athletic ranked Faber as the 7th-best prospect in the Kings system (3rd best defenseman), back in February.

The first thing that stood out was his skating. The same thing that leaped out at Raboin when he first saw Faber play. Said Raboin, plainly: “His ability to close and skate is what sets him apart from the rest.” But there were other things about him and his game that were further ahead than they anticipated, as well. He became an immediate leader on the team, a rarity for a true freshman. “The stuff you don’t see are his leadership qualities and the calming presence on the bench. And that’s stuff that we really see high value in, in Brock,” Raboin said, In fitness testing, Faber, the team’s youngest player, was at or near the top in every category. – The Athletic (Scott Wheeler)

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:13:01 +0000 Minnesota Wild Kevin Fiala Trade Talks are Heating Up https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/kevin-fiala-trade-talks-are-heating-up-minnesota-wild/ Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:41:56 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=39509 Kevin Fiala is, most likely, living out the final week of his life with the Minnesota Wild. Bill Guerin has made it pretty clear that this was the end means for their relationship.

But with the NHL Draft just one week away (July 7), talks for the young winger are heating up. This, according to SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman. And Michael Russo (The Athletic) has chimed in too. He confirms that a Fiala trade is imminent.

Rumors are flying around on what landing Fiala will take but all signs point to teams equipped with top-15 picks in next week’s draft. Teams showing the most public thirst for Minnesota’s 25-year-old Swiss star include the Kings (19), Isles (13), San Jose (11), Ottawa (7) and New Jersey (2).

Steamy

The Devils, loaded with the #2 overall pick next week, certainly have the most steam on Twitter, which often means something… and other times, does not. We’ll see how much Bill Guerin can get in the Kevin Fiala bidding war. But if you’ve held out hope that Kev was going to somehow stay, it’s time to start the grieving process now.

Judd Zulgad (SKOR North) heard Friedman (above) mention, on his radio show, that both the Kings and Devils are included in the steam surrounding Fiala.

Update:

Kevin Fiala was traded to the LA Kings for a 1st round pick and Minnesota Gophers defenseman, Brock Faber.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Wed, 29 Jun 2022 19:37:38 +0000 Minnesota Wild Guerin Wants Both Goalies Back; Fiala Good as Gone https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/guerin-minnesota-wild-wants-both-goalies-back-kevin-fiala-feels-good-as-gone/ Tue, 17 May 2022 17:25:45 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=39051 Bill Guerin is must-see TV anytime he steps in front of a microphone and Tuesday morning was no different. After Minnesota Wild players gave their season-ending interviews with media on Monday, it was the GM and head coach’s turn today.

After answering questions about their playoff loss to St. Louis and the disappointment that followed, the conversation turned to the team’s future. Are the Wild trying to bring back both Marc-Andre Fleury and Cam Talbot? Yes. Jake Middleton, Matt Dumba? Yes.

And what about Kevin Fiala? Well… Bill Guerin conveyed more uncertainty when asked about the star winger.

Different Players, Different Answers

We know about the salary cap squeeze the Minnesota Wild are forced to work around over the next three seasons, given the ridiculous price they had to pay to buy out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter’s contracts. Because of that, roster decisions this offseason were always going to be difficult.

But Bill Guerin answered the direct question, regarding Fiala’s future, much differently than he answered questions about Fleury, Talbot, Middleton or Dumba; all of which aren’t guaranteed to return (for the same reasons as Fiala). And there’s no upside in Guerin underselling the Wild’s determination to sign Fiala.

Overselling would make more sense. Trying to convince other teams that you are fighting to re-sign Fiala could, in theory, raise his potential asking price. But what we saw from Guerin today is derived from honesty. He’s just admitting what we already know.

Letting Kevin Fiala walk is the easiest and most logical route to cap compliance for the 2022-23 Minnesota Wild. This is just Bill Guerin admitting what is likely inevitable, just like Fiala did himself on Monday.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Tue, 17 May 2022 13:59:34 +0000 Minnesota Wild Kaprizov, Fiala Disappear Again https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/kaprizov-fiala-disappear-again/ Tue, 03 May 2022 14:36:57 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=38902 Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala had historic seasons with the 2022 Minnesota Wild. Kaprizov broke franchise records in goals (47), assists (61) and points (108). Fiala had a career year, posting 85 points (33 G, 52 A) of his own, promising to make himself a rich man when he gets paid this offseason.

But there was one hurdle the two stars had yet to jump over during their young careers. Both players have struggled to be the offensive forces in the NHL Playoffs that they have regularly proven to be during the season. Unfortunately, Monday’s 0-4 Blues shutout at Xcel Energy Center will only advance their no-show playoff narrative.

The Wild struggled to find any offense 5v5 or on the power play and needed one of their stars to break the ice. But it never happened. The Wild’s 3rd line of Joel Eriksson Ek, Marcus Foligno and Jordan Greenway (GREEF) was the only grouping that challenged the Blues’ defense. They more than doubled the “Corsi For” of the two lines built to carry this team offensively. But even when confronted, Villa Hussa wasn’t letting anything through.

Dean Evason needed one of Kirill Kaprizov or Kevin Fiala to make a superstar play but nobody rose to the occasion. It felt like so many playoff games we’ve watched this team play in before. Good chances come few and far between, even while the shot attempts pile up. And when high-percentage opportunities present themselves, the Wild can’t capitalize. Deja vu.

Playoff No-Shows

Kevin Fiala has a lot more playoff experience than Kaprizov. Monday was his 30th playoff game but Kevin has just 9 goals and 3 assists in all that action. Spread over 82 games, that’s 25 goals and 8 assists, numbers that wouldn’t get anyone paid.

Kirill Kaprizov has just one playoff appearance to look back on, but the 2021 postseason wasn’t pretty for the young superstar, who posted just 2 goals and 1 assist in 7 games. After Monday night, his “games played” statistic moved to 8. Still 2 goals and 1 assist.

If the Minnesota Wild are going to turn this series around, it will be thanks to their most skilled players doing the same. Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala have to be better and they have to put some points on the board.

Those guys are what sets the Wild apart from the Blues and many teams in the NHL. If they’re neutralized, like they were on Monday night and like they have been throughout their careers, then the Wild are severely outmatched.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Tue, 03 May 2022 09:37:00 +0000 Minnesota Wild Kevin Fiala, Wild Appear Destined for Messy Divorce https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/kevin-fiala-wild-appear-destined-for-messy-divorce/ Wed, 24 Nov 2021 02:33:19 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=37256 While the last two games haven’t gone as planned, the (11-6-1) Minnesota Wild are off to a great start. But while things are going well overall, there is one giant bombshell that seems ready to explode. In the past week or so, the relationship between the Wild and star winger Kevin Fiala seems to be souring.

Fiala, one of the Wild’s biggest scoring threats, didn’t move a muscle on the bench during the first and second unit’s shifts.

Asked if Evason had explained why he’s no longer on the power play, Fiala said, “Dean hasn’t, so you can ask him.”

Evason seemed to disagree with the assertion Fiala doesn’t know or understand why.

“We talk to each individual,” Evason said. “We talk to everybody, every guy. The guys know where they stand with us.”

He’s a pending restricted free agent with the right to become an unrestricted free agent in 2023. If the Wild can’t afford him or just don’t want to afford him or commit to him, it’s very possible he’ll be traded, perhaps even soon because he’s not playing well and things are getting visibly uncomfortable between him and Evason.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

How did we get here?

Fiala has gotten off to a rough start this season with just three goals and 11 assists through 18 games. Fiala’s seen as the team’s #2 playmaker, behind Kirill Kaprizov, and possibly its most consistent goal scorer. But he’s struggled to put the puck in the net this season and other areas of his game have become noticeably inconsistent.

Throughout his career, Fiala has become known as a guy who takes shifts, even entire games off. And when playing well, Kevin still has a propensity for lazy turnovers in both zones.

Remember, the Wild declined to commit to Fiala long-term last offseason, instead choosing to take him to arbitration, something that’s rarely induced by NHL teams. And now just a few months later, a trade that sends Kevin Fiala out of Minnesota sooner rather than later, is a very real possibility.

Where do we go from here?

After buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, the Wild locked Joel Eriksson Ek up on an 8 year/$42 million extension. Over the past two seasons (nearly identical amount of games), Fiala posted 94 points to Ek’s 59.

Yet, Fiala was left out to dry after 2021-22, while Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov (5 years, $92 million) got paid.

If there’s one thing we know about this new Billy Guerin led Minnesota Wild, it’s that bullshit won’t be tolerated. The new GM didn’t hesitate to buy out Parise and Suter and he won’t waste time or space on Fiala either.

If Kevin is someone Guerin views as toxic for the Wild’s locker room culture, he is as good as gone. It’ll be a lot harder to say goodbye to Fiala than Parise or Suter because Fiala is can still play and should be on the rise, not decline. But in reality, Bill Guerin doesn’t care.

Trade Possibilities

When looking at trade possibilities, could this be how the Wild acquire that number one center to pair with Kirill Kaprizov? The cap space in upcoming seasons will make any move difficult, but if the Wild want to make a run this season and trade for a top center off the rental market, Fiala as the departing piece makes a lot of sense.

However things shake out, it’s safe to say that Bill Guerin will do whatever he thinks is best for the team. If that’s trading your second best player in the midst of a successful season, so be it.

Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Tue, 23 Nov 2021 20:44:03 +0000 Minnesota Wild Markstrom and Canucks Push Wild to Brink with Game 3 Loss https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/markstrom-and-canucks-push-wild-to-the-brink-with-game-3-loss/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/markstrom-and-canucks-push-wild-to-the-brink-with-game-3-loss/#respond Thu, 06 Aug 2020 21:46:37 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=28411

The Minnesota Wild are now on the brink of being eliminated from their qualifying round series against Vancouver after losing Game 3 by a score of 3-0. Jacob Markstrom silenced the Wild, who took way too many penalties for the second straight game. It all comes down to Game 4, and if the Wild lose their season is over.

The first period saw few shots and no scoring from either team. There was plenty of bad blood on both sides from the opening faceoff. The Wild took three first period penalties but didn’t allow any goals. Vancouver however apparently wanted to get Alex Stalock off the ice any way they could.

The Canucks opened the scoring in the second period as Brock Boeser scored his second goal of the series to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead. Alex Stalock leaves the crease to block an initial shot leaving the net open for the easy tap in.

CANUCKS PULL AWAY

In the third period the Canucks scored again as rat man Antoine Roussel scored his first of the series to make it 2-0. Roussel motored all the way from his own zone to beat Stalock for the second goal.

With time winding down the Canucks added an insurance goal they wouldn’t need, as Elias Petterson beat Stalock to make it 3-0.

The Wild had plenty of chances to score, but were an abysmal 0-7 on the power play. That was after going 0-6 in the Game 2 loss. The Wild now have to fight back from the brink of elimination and will play tomorrow night at 9:45 CT.

PATHETIC POWER PLAY

The Wild continued their hideous power play showing in Game 3, and haven’t been good in that regard at all in the series. Not only did the Wild not take advantage of those opportunities, but they took way too many penalties as well.

SUTER’S STATUS

Ryan Suter left the game in the third period. His status is not known heading into a pivotal Game 4, but if he is unable to go that will put the Wild further behind in a situation where they need to have all hands on deck.

SOMEONE HELP FIALA

It certainly seems like Kevin Fiala is going to have to will the Wild to a win in Game 4. There have been so many key Wild players that have absolutely gone silent in the series . Let’s get somebody else to step up and score a damn goal!

Seth Toupal | Minnesota Sports Fan

Report Cards (via Jake Jensen – @myhockeyeyes)

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/markstrom-and-canucks-push-wild-to-the-brink-with-game-3-loss/feed/ 0 Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:22:20 +0000 Minnesota Wild Despite Furious Comeback Wild Fall in Game 2 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/despite-furious-comeback-wild-fall-in-game-2/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/despite-furious-comeback-wild-fall-in-game-2/#respond Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:14:22 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=28285

After a dominating Game 1 win The Minnesota Wild fell flat in Game 2 of their qualifying round series against Vancouver. The Canucks evened the series at one game apiece with a 4-3 win. The Wild looked flat, Alex Stalock struggled and an abysmal power play all led to the Wild being overmatched. If not for Kevin Fiala the Wild would have been laughed off the ice. The overall game can be summed up by the performance of Ryan Donato, who looked completely lost.

UGLY EARLY

The Canucks got the scoring started before before anyone was settled in, taking a 1-0 lead 24 seconds into the game. The Wild definitely didn’t appear ready for the game.

The Wild tied the score with time winding down in the second period, getting a shorthanded goal from Luke Kunin to even things at 1-1.

Vancouver dominated the second period, scoring twice to push the lead to 3-1. The first goal came from J.T. Miller.

Vancouver made it 3-1 on a goal from Brock Boeser that snuck by Stalock as he swung left to play the initial shot.

Vancouver wasn’t done there. They increased the lead to 4-1 in the third with a goal from Bo Horvat.

FIALA CATCHES FIRE

The Wild did get another goal late in the third as Kevin Fiala scored his second goal of the series.

Fiala added another goal with seven seconds left to get the Wild within one at 4-3, but that was as close as the Wild would get.

PITIFUL POWER PLAY

The Wild went 0-6 on the Power Play. Any time they had an opportunity with an extra skater they just seemed tentative. It drives me absolutely bonkers with a team spends most of their advantage simply passing the puck. SHOOT IT!

STALOCK STRUGGLES

Alex Stalock was masterful in Game 1 but Vancouver had his number in Game 2. The goalie position was one spot heading into the series that the Canucks had an advantage. The Wild will need Stalock or whoever else starts in Game 3 to be way .

PLEASE WIN SOME FACEOFFS

The Wild won 25 of 68 faceoffs on the night. That became painfully clear as the game wore on, every faceoff win for the Canucks prevented the Wild from sustaining any time in the Canucks zone. The Wild will absolutely have to get that fixed heading into Game 3.

EVASON ADJUSTMENTS?

All eyes will be on Dean Evason to see what sort of adjustments he makes now that the series is tied 1-1. Will Devan Dubnyk get the start? Are the line combinations going to be juggled? Will Evason stay the course and not make any changes? These are all the types of gambles that can put you in a 1-2 hole if not answered correctly.

The Wild will try to regain the lead in the series Thursday at 1:30 pm CT. You read that right, a game that starts in the afternoon!

Report Cards (via Jake Jensen)

Seth Toupal | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/despite-furious-comeback-wild-fall-in-game-2/feed/ 0 Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:14:27 +0000 Minnesota Wild The Dean Evason Culture Will Keep the Wild Competetive for the Forseeable Future https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/the-dean-evason-culture-will-keep-the-wild-competetive-for-the-forseeable-future/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/the-dean-evason-culture-will-keep-the-wild-competetive-for-the-forseeable-future/#respond Mon, 03 Aug 2020 22:12:54 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=28170

Culture is an important thing in sports, especially in hockey. If there is a disconnect or broken wire anywhere, shit hits the fan quickly. You need every single person to be on the same page or it just doesn’t work. For the first time in a long time, I saw a complete team in the Minnesota Wild last night. Not just a bunch of individuals playing for the sake of their own ego and paycheck. It was all thanks to Jared Spurgeon, Kevin Fiala, Marcus Foligno and Dean Evason.

Now, before you chirp me, yes, I know that it was just one game. But something just felt uniquely refreshing and different to me. Clearly, there’s a new leadership group in Minnesota, and it was on full display last night.

JARED SPURGEON

The moment the puck dropped in Edmonton late last night, you just knew that Jared Spurgeon was ready to go. Spurgeon registered two goals, an assist, four-blocked shots, and 22:46 TOI. While it was a historic night on the stat-sheet, it was all of the little things that I loved about Spurgeon’s game the most. Everything from getting the pucks out of corners, turning the play up the ice, using his stick to clear traffic in front of Alex Stalock, and sneaking up in the play offensively, Spurgeon did it all.

When I watch Spurgeon play, it makes me think of what watching a surgeon conducting brain surgery would look like. He is just so precise with everything and never seems to shy away from the big moments and pressures that come with playoff hockey. His quiet confidence screams through the TV at you. If you aren’t from Minnesota or a fan of the Wild, chances are pretty high that you didn’t know how good Spurgeon was. Now you know.

KEVIN FIALA

I mean it when I say this, I have never seen a Wild player as skilled as Kevin Fiala. Ever. While Marian Gaborik was obviously the best goal-scorer in Wild history, he was extremely one dimensional and a defensive liability more times than not. With Fiala, you get the entire package.

The scary thing for opposing players is the fact that the package is just being opened. Fiala can knife through defensemen like butter. He can make an impossible pass possible. He can retrieve the puck in the defensive zone and send it right back the other way into the offensive zone. And most importantly, he can and will just make you look straight up silly.

It took all but three seconds of the first Wild power play for Fiala to strike. Eric Staal won the faceoff in the offensive zone, Spurgeon got possession of the puck, sent it over to Fiala, and in the blink of an eye it was in the back of the net and past Jacob Markstrom. It is that easy with him. For the first time in a long time, the Wild have a legit superstar on their team. We saw it all from Fiala last night.

MARCUS FOLIGNO

Well, Marcus Foligno is a man of his word. It wasn’t even two minutes into the game last night and Foligno was busy chucking fists with Micheal Ferland. Setting the tone is something that Foligno does incredibly well and it worked last night. The Wild got an early powerplay, scored three seconds into it, and never looked back. And it all started with the momentum and energy that Foligno created.

It’s easy to get frustrated when you have local house rats like Antoine Roussel and Ferland on the other side of things. It’s important that you keep them in check and Foligno did a fantastic job of that while not feeding into their bullshit and childish antics. The best thing about Foligno too is that he is a really good hockey player.

Yes, he’s a hell of an enforcer and leader but the guy can play against any team’s top players. That’s something that you don’t see too often with players that play the game like him. Just like the Hispaniolan Solenodon, Foligno is a rare breed.

DEAN EVASON

For his head coaching playoff debut, Dean Evason was rock-solid as can be. You could see the intensity and passion in his face throughout the entire game. He just seems like the type of guy you wanna go to war for as a player.

My favorite highlight of the night from Evason was after Fiala scored on the powerplay in the first period and he straight up elbowed the glass. In a series where not many people were giving the Wild a chance, Evason had his group ready to go and now see themselves two wins away from an invitation to the playoffs of Lord Stanley himself.

When you put everything together here, you get exactly what you want in a leadership group. In Spurgeon, you get the quiet leader who leads by his performance on the ice. I think Spurgeon will be the next captain for the Wild. With Fiala, you finally have the superstar player with swagger that your franchise has lacked since Marian Gaborik departed the team in 2009. In Foligno, you have the loud team favorite that keeps things light in the locker room but dials it in when it’s go time.

Then, most importantly, in Dean Evason, you have the coach who the players actually want to play for and maintains that perfect balance of intensity, dedication, and human connection. The Minnesota Wild are finally building a culture, and it’s a damn beautiful thing to see.

Jake Jensen | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/the-dean-evason-culture-will-keep-the-wild-competetive-for-the-forseeable-future/feed/ 0 Mon, 03 Aug 2020 17:12:59 +0000 Minnesota Wild Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman are the Real MVP’s From Sunday Night https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/marcus-foligno-and-ryan-hartman-show-wild-mean-business-against-vancouver/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/marcus-foligno-and-ryan-hartman-show-wild-mean-business-against-vancouver/#respond Mon, 03 Aug 2020 20:42:22 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=28142

There were many key contributors in Minnesota Wild’s huge Game 1 shutout victory last night. You could argue that Jared Spurgeon was the MVP with his huge power play goal in the second period. And don’t forget his empty-netter to seal the win. Others might say Alex Stalock was the MVP for turning away the Canucks’ attempts at the net all night long. However, my pick for MVPs go to Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman, who were integral in the game 1 win.

FEISTY FOLIGNO

Marcus Foligno set the tone from the beginning of the game, and also before the game even started. In his daily diary with The Athletic, Foligno told Michael Russo that the Wild needed to be aggressors early on. And he took it upon himself to make it even more known to the Canucks in the early going.

“I watched the games today, especially the Rangers and Carolina. Carolina was the team that came out guns blazing, and they really took advantage. They scored early and had some hits and they also had a fight, and that’s what our mentality has to be. The team that dips their toe in is probably going to be the team that’s going to be heading out the door in a week.”

Marcus Foligno via The Athletic

Foligno’s hit on Ferland clearly lit a spark for the Wild early. Though both players were promptly sent to the penalty box, it led to a Wild powerplay. Kevin Fiala took advantage of that opportunity to give the Wild the early 1-0 lead.

HARTMAN HITS HARD

One of the most remarkable things about last night also was how absent the top two lines for the Canucks were. They are normally very good at creating chances, but only were able to manuafacture five total shots. The Wild deployed their 4th line helped to shut down the Canucks’ attack.

The most impressive effort from that line came from Hartman. Throughout the last two periods in particular, was everywhere on the ice. Hartman was effective in frustrating the Ferland line and made it difficult for Vancouver to create many chances at all. Hartman also managed to draw two power plays for the Wild in the third period, which allowed them to pull away.

It seems like the Wild now have a leg up on the Canucks in this series. If they hope to win more games, it will again require a group effort and some unlikely stars to make that happen.

Ameer Eldomiatti | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/marcus-foligno-and-ryan-hartman-show-wild-mean-business-against-vancouver/feed/ 0 Mon, 03 Aug 2020 17:07:28 +0000 Minnesota Wild And just like that, the Wild are in the playoffs… https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/and-just-like-that-the-wild-are-in-the-playoffs/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/and-just-like-that-the-wild-are-in-the-playoffs/#respond Fri, 06 Mar 2020 07:24:25 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=22427

The Minnesota Wild won again tonight… or last night… or whatever. It’s dark out but the clock says “AM”. The Wild are in San Jose to start a road trip against below-average competition. We are hoping the trip will yield W’s and not the corona virus. So far, so good…

They defeated the Sharks out in San Jose, despite health officials recommending the game be cancelled until the corona virus is under control.

The game itself, was mostly Wild early. It got pretty hairy late but the Wild were able to hold on.

Now, they will reap the benefits…. which include jumping two teams in the Western Conference playoff standings, and planting themselves as the #1 wildcard for that side of the playoff bracket.

That’s a far cry from the tank I was calling for a month or two ago. If the season ended this morning, not only would the Wild make the playoffs, but they’d avoid a first round bye vs St. Louis….

ESPN.com

The Wild still have to win double the games they lose, if they are going to end up in the final bracket, come season’s end. However, if Kevin Fiala continues to look like a future NHL superstar and Parise can continue to pile up points, who knows what could happen.

Seriously, if you haven’t sat down and watched a Wild game in awhile, it’s time to change that. Kevin Fiala just looks to be operating on a different level than everyone else and even my stupid hockey eyes can see it.

His play over the last month or so, makes me feel a lot better about (and a little worse for) Paul Fenton.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/and-just-like-that-the-wild-are-in-the-playoffs/feed/ 0 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 01:24:33 +0000 Minnesota Wild