Mikael Granlund was the epitome of youth, quickness and talent when he joined the Wild.
Now, almost nine years later, those same attributes are the reason why the team cut ties with the center/wing — trading him to Nashville for that same blend in up-and-comer Kevin Fiala before the NHL trade deadline expired Monday, another retooling chapter in General Manager Paul Fenton's first year at the helm.
The Wild also sent veteran Matt Hendricks to Winnipeg for a 2020 seventh-round draft pick and re-signed center Eric Staal to a two-year, $6.5 million deal.
"That's what I was brought here for, to make some changes, to make some changes to the culture," Fenton said, "and today was another opportunity to do something about it."
Shortly before the 2 p.m. trading window closed and while his fiancée, Emmi, was in labor, Granlund became an ex-Wild wing after parts of seven seasons — a partnership that began with so much promise since his crafty playmaking style was buzzed about as soon as the Wild drafted him ninth overall in 2010.
Granlund exceeded 20 goals twice and set career highs with 26 goals and 69 points in 2016-17, when he was nominated for the Lady Byng Trophy as the league's most gentlemanly player. This season, he had 15 goals, and his 49 points ranked second only to Zach Parise.
But at 27 (as of Tuesday) and with only one season remaining on a three-year, $17.25 million contract, the team was looking to fulfill its younger, faster objectives, and Granlund was the trade-off — a cost that also creates more cap space for the Wild since Fiala is a restricted free agent this summer.
Granlund totaled 93 goals, 224 assists and 317 points in 461 regular-season games. He is fourth in Wild history in assists and sixth in points.