CHICAGO – Erik Haula is looking forward to a fresh start.
After being relegated to the fourth line in Minnesota for much of last season, Haula is excited for the new opportunity he'll receive with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights after signing a three-year, $8.25 million deal Wednesday.
He said there's no bitterness that Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher worked to ensure Haula would be the Vegas-bound Wild player in expansion.
"I'm really excited. It's a fresh start," Haula said by phone Thursday from the island of Capri, where he was wrapping up an Italian vacation with his girlfriend. "You knew where you were going to be going into camp with Minnesota, but here, I get a chance to compete for those top spots, which is the chance you want. I understand that nothing's ever given, and I've learned that throughout my days. But hopefully I can go in there and make a really good impression and get a chance to play some of those top minutes."
Fletcher wished Haula well but said, "He's up for a contract this year, he's going to be an unrestricted free agent in a year, and with our cap situation, it just made it a little bit more difficult to keep him long term."
Haula, 26, had nothing but good things to say about the Wild and his teammates.
"Just getting a chance to come into the league, I'll always be grateful," Haula said. "And what a great job they've done with their leadership with Mikko [Koivu]. I owe him a lot. Everything I've learned from him, from being a pro and everything that comes with it."
Haula will head to his native Finland after Italy, then is excited to check out the new digs in Vegas. He's an avid golfer, so he should love a lifestyle where golf is a year-round possibility. Plus, there's getting to go inside refreshing ice rinks when the weather's warm.