2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Minnesota Wild Recalls Marco Scandella
By Dakota Case
Jan 30, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell (29) hits Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella (6) during the third period at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
According to their website, the Minnesota Wild have recalled defenseman Marco Scandella from the Houston Aeros. In return, Minnesota has reassigned energy forward Stephane Veilleux.
Drafted 55th overall in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Scandella has played in 89 games with Minnesota, potting four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in parts of three seasons with the big club. The 6’3” 210-pound native of Montreal, Quebec wears sweater No. 6 with Minnesota. Of the four picks Minnesota made in the final draft of the Doug Risebrough era, Scandella has been the most successful in his career thus far. In 45 games with Houston this season, he has chipped in two goals and 15 assists for 17 points and a plus-2 rating.
This move no doubt comes as an attempt to bolster the backend for Minnesota as they prepare for Game One of their first round playoff series with Chicago tomorrow night. Scandella brings some good size and physicality to the lineup and isn’t afraid to shoot the puck. With the struggles of Minnesota’s bottom four defensemen this season, it’s hard not to wonder if Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo is thinking about reuniting last year’s pairing of Scandella and Jared Spurgeon.