According to Wild beat writer Michael Russo, the team and the agent representing Mikael Granlund have begun discussions on a contract extension.
Granlund is one of only two remaining forwards set to become restricted free agents after this season. The other is Erik Haula.
According to Todd Diamond, Granlund’s agent, the center’s new deal “is not going to be as long as Coyle and Brodin, that’s for sure”.
The Wild recently locked up both forward Charlie Coyle and defenseman Jonas Brodin to multi-year extensions. Coyle’s new deal, which kicks in next season is a five-year, $16 million contract.
Granlund, 22, is in the final year of his three-year entry-level contract, which pays him $2.1 million this season, but over the length of the deal carried an annual average value of $900,000.
Russo expects a bridge deal for the native of Oulu, Finland. The hope would be that Granlund, who scored 20 goals and 51 points in 45 games during his final season playing professionally in Finland, will reach those numbers in the NHL.
A bridge deal would likely be in the two-year range.
“We feel a shorter term works in favor of both sides in a completely respectful manner,” Diamond said. “Now we’re just trying to plug in the right numbers that satisfy both sides. Right now we’re both searching for the right answer. Eventually we’ll get there.
“I can’t tell you if it’s going to be Monday or one week or one month or six months, but eventually we will get there.”
Diamond also cautioned Wild fans to not freak out if negotiations drag into the summer.
“The only deadline would be next training camp, but Mikael is not the type of person that would want to use that as leverage at all,” Diamond said. “That position would be uncomfortable and painful for him and wouldn’t really serve any purpose, so we obviously intend and hope to have it done well before then.”
Originally Minnesota’s ninth overall selection at the 2010 NHL Draft, Granlund has two assists through the first five games of the season.