Kevin Fiala chose to bet on himself this season. With the arbitration hearing nearing and the briefs regarding the targeted salary from both sides made public, he had the choice to take that number and keep it for just one or stretch it to two years. If it was the latter option, he would instantly be a very young, tantalizing unrestricted free agent; the former and he remains one that’s restricted and still under Minnesota Wild control.
The 25 year old forward decided to opt for the single year of the contract, giving him another opportunity to get a longer-term extension with the Wild and for him to really get a pay raise if he struts his usual high-octane offense during a full 82-game season.