After finally having what could be considered his breakout season in 2019-20, expectations were high coming into the 2021 shortened season for Kevin Fiala.
Fiala scored at a 0.84 point per game rate over 64 games in ‘19-20 and nearly matched it in 2021, scoring 20 goals and 20 assists in 50 games (0.80 points per game). The trade from Nashville in early 2019 has predictably worked out pretty well both for the Wild and Fiala himself. The team added a dynamic offensive talent when they sorely needed it and the player finally received the opportunity he deserved.