The #MNWild signed Restricted Free Agent (RFA) F Jordan Greenway to a 2-year/$4.2M deal ($2.1M AAV (Average Annual Value)).
Jordan scored 8 goals & 28 points in 67 games in the 2019-20 season in his 2nd full season with the Minnesota Wild but so far…he’s struggled to reach his potential which, at 6′, 6″ & 227 lbs, is to be a power forward that produces 20+ goals and probably around 60+ points.
He’s struggled with consistency & it’s not that surprising because he’s always been bigger than the competition so he never had to use his size to physically punish the opponent. It was easier for him to dominate by holding the puck and making plays when he was always the biggest player on the ice so he’s been trying to transition to being more of a physical force on the forecheck to go get the puck. That really wasn’t his game before or, maybe a better way to say it is, that wasn’t a big part of his game before but now, since he’s playing with players who are either as big as he is or don’t care how big he is and know how to play him, he’s not having as much success.
He also needs to shoot the puck more. He should be averaging at least 2 shots per game. In 154 career games, he has 206 shots on goal. In the playoffs, 9 shots in 9 games. We just watched the NHL Draft and a lot of the scout talk was about how players played against their peers which says once they get to the NHL, they should produce more like they did in juniors or college but…that’s a lot easier said than done.
Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin challenged Jordan after the season to come into next season in a lot better shape so he’s ready for the long 82-game grind of an NHL season, It will be interesting to see if he takes that to heart and starts playing like a 6′, 6″, 227-lb player should play. Wild fans might be reminded of one Charlie Coyle who teased them for many seasons before being traded to Boston in 2019. So, we are excited to see a bigger, better and badder #18 next season who should be challenging to be in the top 6.
This quote from him is nice to see: “I think there is a lot more I can do, for sure. I can have more of an impact. I think I need to set the standards for myself higher.
In Other Minnesota Wild News…
- G Kaapo Kahkonen filed for Salary Arbitration so the Wild will continue to try to get the Restricted Free Agent signed before arbitration hearins are held from October 20th through November 6th.
- The Wild made a couple of depth signings to help their AHL club, the Iowa Wild on Day 1 of Free Agency with the signings of:
- F Joseph Cramarossa (1-year two-way contract/$700K/$160K)
- 51 games – 7 goals, 8 assists, 56 shots, 126 PIMs – 6’0, 195-lbs
- D Dakota Mermis (1-year two-way contract/$700K/$250K)
- 53 games – 3 goals, 16 assists, +6, 76 shots, 23 PIMs – 6’0, 194-lbs
- F Joseph Cramarossa (1-year two-way contract/$700K/$160K)
In Other NHL News…
Former Minnesota Wild Captain F Mikko Koivu signed a 1-year/$1.5M deal with the Colombus Blue Jackets so that will look weird.
Thank you for reading and…don’t forget to do this…
