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Wild GM says Granlund or Coyle could center second line

Minnesota Wild v Anaheim Ducks

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on February 1, 2013 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Now that Matt Cullen has taken his game to Nashville, the Minnesota Wild could’ve been in the market for a second line center. Instead, they’re looking at doing things internally.

Wild GM Chuck Fletcher tells Michael Russo of the Star Tribune that either Mikael Granlund or Charlie Coyle could fill that spot next season.

“We’ll see if they’re ready for it,” Fletcher said. “Granlund’s a talented, young player and we feel he’ll be a good NHL player in time. Whether that happens right away or not will be up to him. Charlie Coyle’s a player that proved to all of us that he can play in the NHL last year.”

Granlund had his ups and downs with the Wild last season bouncing between the AHL and NHL. Coyle, meanwhile, played right wing on the top line with Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu.

Both players are natural centers and guys the organization is very high on. They both also made their NHL debuts this past season. Youth may be served in St. Paul.