Marco Scandella Expected to Return After Olympic Break

Nov 17, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella (6) carries the puck during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Jets 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY SportsThere’s good news, and there’s bad news.

The bad news is Minnesota Wild top-4 defenseman Marco Scandella is out with a sprained MCL and won’t return until possibly February 27th. The good news is that the team only has one more game before the Olympic break, meaning Scandella could very well miss just one game. That’s what the team is hoping at least, as reported by Star Tribune Wild beat writer Michael Russo.

In the meantime, it looks like tomorrow night’s defensive pairs will be:

Ryan Suter – Jared Spurgeon

Jonas Brodin – Nate Prosser

Clayton Stoner – Keith Ballard

Not shabby by any means, but it could use an upgrade prior to the trade deadline. Defensemen rumored to be in play include the Rangers’ Dan Girardi, the Islanders’ Andrew MacDonald and the Penguins’ Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen.

With a game to go until the Olympic break, and four until the March 5th NHL trade deadline, Wild GM Chuck Fletcher needs to assess the team’s injury situation and depth at all positions. Minnesota has been fortunate so many players have stepped up and played well when key players have been forced on the shelf, but there’s no guarantee the team can continue to do so should matters get any worse. He’s certainly got a lot to think about heading into the break.