SEARCH


The Minnesota Wild could look to move forward Kevin Fiala due to apparent rift with head coach

PUBLICATION
Mike Armenti
November 21, 2021  (11:13)
SHARE THIS STORY

There appears to be a growing rift between Minnesota Wild head coach Dean Evason and the team's leading scorer over the past two seasons, Kevin Fiala.

Fiala, 25, saw himself removed from the team's power play rotation on Saturday and saw just 3 shifts in the entire third period in a 5-4 loss to the Florida Panthers. Following the game, Fiala seemed baffled as to why he had been removed from the power play following the game, directing the media to ask his head coach why he wasn't being utilized with the man-advantage. Evason appeared to dispel that idea pretty quickly.

«We talk to each individual,» Evason said. «We talk to everybody, every guy. The guys know where they stand with us.»

The Athletic's Michael Russo believes that there is a growing possibility that Fiala could be moved if the tension between he and Evason continues to boil over.

"He's a pending restricted free agent with the right to become an unrestricted free agent in 2023," wrote Russo following Saturday's loss.

"If the Wild can't afford him or just don't want to afford him or commit to him, it's very possible he'll be traded, perhaps even soon because he's not playing well and things are getting visibly uncomfortable between him and Evason."

The Swiss winger has recorded just 2 goals and 8 assists through 17 games with the Wild so far this season.

Source: The Athletic

TRENDING NOW
2025-2026
NHL STANDINGS
GPWLOLPTS
Sabres8250239109
Lightning8250266106
Canadiens82482410106
Bruins82452710100
Senators8244271199
Red Wings8241311092
Panthers824038484
Maple Leafs8232361478
GPWLOLPTS
Hurricanes8253227113
Penguins8241251698
Flyers8243271298
Capitals824330995
Blue Jackets8240301292
Islanders824334591
Devils824237387
Rangers823439977
GPWLOLPTS
Avalanche82551611121
Stars82502012112
Wild82462412104
Mammoth824333692
Blues8237331286
Predators8238341086
Jets8235351282
Blackhawks8229391472
GPWLOLPTS
Golden Knights8239261795
Oilers8241301193
Ducks824333692
Kings8235272090
Sharks823935886
Kraken8234371179
Flames823439977
Canucks822549858
COMPLETE STANDINGS