Wild notes: Granlund contract talks ongoing

The Jonas Brodin and Charlie Coyle contract extensions were achieved within a few weeks of beginning negotiations. If the Mikael Granlund talks drag on, Granlund's agent said Thursday that fans shouldn't panic that the Wild would have a Ryan Johansen-like contract squabble on its hands.

Johansen, the Columbus Blues Jackets star center drafted fourth overall in 2010 (five spots ahead of Granlund), missed almost all of training camp while battling out an eventual three-year, $12 million deal after a 33-goal, 63-point season last year.

That nasty fight is one reason Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher wanted to avoid restricted free agency with Brodin and Coyle and is trying to do the same next summer with Granlund.

"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," said Granlund's agent, Todd Diamond. "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."

Brodin signed a six-year, $25 million extension, Coyle a five-year, $16 million extension. Coyle's extension averages $3.2 million but pays him the first three years precisely what Nino Niederreiter got on a three-year deal — $1.9 million, $2.6 million and $3.5 million for a $2.667 million average.

The Wild indicated, and Diamond confirmed Thursday, that Granlund's eventual deal "is not going to be as long as Coyle and Brodin, that's for sure."

A short-term deal would allow Granlund, the Wild's No. 1 center, to pile up points the next few seasons with the goal of eventually hitting a lucrative third contract. It would also benefit the Wild, which could continue to gauge Granlund's health. He has had a history of concussions.

"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."

Wild left wing Zach Parise, in the third year of a 13-year contract, was excited by Coyle's extension.

"For him, he's got that comfort of not worrying about that in the offseason," Parise said. "He can just play and know he's all set for a long time. From a team standpoint, Charlie's a really good player and I think he's only going to get better. You don't find a lot of guys with that size, skill and skating ability. They just don't come around that often. You can play him anywhere in the lineup and he's going to do well."

Parise then looked at Granlund and said, smiling, "Now if we can … there's another guy hopefully we can get him [signed] soon also and we'll be all set for a while."

Granlund is excited for Brodin and Coyle, saying, "They're great players and great friends."

Defensemen Nate Prosser and Matt Dumba came to the arena Thursday morning expecting to be scratched against Arizona. But third pair Keith Ballard and Christian Folin coincidentally both got sick.