Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund (64) against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

After the Minnesota Wild were eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks in Round One of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, top prospect Mikael Granlund headed overseas to reinforce Finland’s run at the World Championships. Playing in the final four of 10 games played by Finland in the 2013 Men’s IIHF World Championship Tournament, Granlund scored a goal and two assists for three points in leading his country to fourth place in the tournament. In 23 career Men’s World Championship games, Granlund has been exceptional, scoring four goals and 13 assists for 17 points and a plus-3 rating.

Considered the Minnesota Wild’s top prospect heading into last season, the 9^th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft scored in his NHL debut, then seemed to struggle for the rest of the season as other youngsters like Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker and Jonas Brodin seemed to pass him on the top prospect list. Part of the reason is that Granlund’s game particularly shines on the European/International level, considering the size of the ice rink. His vision, passing and hockey I.Q. are ideally suited for the larger Olympic-sized rink.

The playoff-like intensity of a lockout-shortened season is no time to break a prospect into the North American style of game. With a year of NA pro hockey under his belt, “Granny” should be much more prepared for next season and gives Minnesota another top-6 forward option with the almost guaranteed departure of Pierre-Marc Bouchard and the possible departure of Matt Cullen.

Jan 20, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding (37) against the Dallas Stars at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Stars 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL revealed the finalists for the Masterton Trophy this morning on their website. In addition to Penguins forward Sidney Crosby and Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid, Wild goaltender Josh Harding was selected to round out the top three finalists for the award that goes to “the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”

Harding, 28, broke the news in November that he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an incurable autoimmune disease where the body randomly attacks the protective lining of nerves throughout the body, causing them to scar. MS causes problems with balance, fatigue and blurred vision. That didn’t stop Harding from pitching a 24-save shutout in his first game since being diagnosed.

However, Harding began to struggle as January turned into February and was finally put on the shelf for most of the rest of the season as he tried to sort out medication issues. When Minnesota made the playoffs for the first time in five years, Harding, who had played just five regular season game this season, was the Wild’s go-to guy when No. 1 goalie Niklas Backstrom went down with an injury in pregame warm-ups before Game One against the Blackhawks. Harding was inspirational, posting a 1-4 record, .911 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average as he played all five of Minnesota’s games against the best team in the NHL.

If Harding wins, he’ll be the first Wild player to ever win the award.