Minnesota Wild Recall Top Prospect Jonas Brodin From Houston

Jan 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Nashville Predators forward Martin Erat (10) scores as Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon (46) attempts to block the shot in the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Predators defeated the Wild 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

It was announced this morning that the Minnesota Wild had recalled top defensive prospect Jonas Brodin from the Houston Aeros. According to the official website of the Minnesota Wild, Brodin has immediately jumped in on the Wild’s second power play unit and is tentatively paired with defenseman Clayton Stoner. The status of defenseman Jared Spurgeon for tomorrow night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings has still yet to be determined. Brodin will wear sweater #25.

One can only assume that Brodin—who has just returned from recovering from an upper-body injury sustained in a game against the Oklahoma City Barons in early November—has been called up as extra insurance. However, it was only a matter of time before he was to make his NHL debut this season and tomorrow night against the Red Wings is just as good of a time as any. When asked if the young defenseman would be making his NHL debut tomorrow night, Coach Yeo said that there would be a “good chance”.

What does this mean for young Mathew Dumba? The seventh defenseman on the roster, Dumba has yet to see any game action so far in his short NHL career. Until the status of Jared Spurgeon can be made clear, Matt will likely remain in St. Paul a while longer.

The addition of Minnesota’s top pick in the 2011 NHL draft will certainly help bolster the Wild’s defensive corps. Not only does it give Minnesota some new blood on the blue line, it also signifies the arrival of a young man that will play a key part in the franchise’s top two defensive pairings for years to come. Together with Ryan Suter, Tom Gilbert and Spurgeon, Brodin completes an already respectable top four group and it will only get better once Dumba makes his mark. The young Swede needs to absorb everything he can learn from his teammates—particularly Suter, who will play a key mentor role as Brodin develops into the franchise defenseman that the Wild drafted him to be.

Could Minnesota have a Lidstrom on their hands? Well, Brodin has certainly been compared to his childhood idol by many. No matter what, tomorrow night could certainly be a memorable debut for the young blue-liner.