At least one of the Wild's two unsigned forwards is guaranteed to receive a new contract this month.
The Wild filed for salary arbitration with Kevin Fiala on Monday, a move that ensures the two sides will reach an agreement before next season starts.
Fiala, a restricted free agent, is coming off a two-year, $6 million deal, and talks with the Wild had been ongoing since the beginning of July. The 25-year-old winger also could have elected for arbitration but did not choose that option before Sunday's deadline.
Hearings will be held from Aug. 11-26, but most cases are resolved before then as negotiations can continue in the meantime. Last year, 26 players filed for arbitration and all but one finalized a new contract before his scheduled hearing.
In the event the Wild and Fiala need a ruling from an arbitrator, Fiala gets to decide whether to accept a one or two-year deal. He is two years away from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
During a potential hearing, each side presents a case that can include statistics and comparable player information.
Last season, Fiala finished second in goals (20) and points (40) on the Wild after leading the team in scoring (54 points) in 2019-20. His last contract didn't get done until the day before training camp opened in 2019, and Fiala was a late arrival.
But Fiala isn't the only key player still without a deal.
