Observations:

February 2014 – After missing a month earlier in the year due to a head injury, Granlund has since filled in admirably during the absence of Wild captain Mikko Koivu on the top line. Granlund finds himself in the middle between Zach Parise and Jason Pominville, and has been on a tear of late tallying eight points in his last five games, giving him 28 on the year through 44 games. Jamie Zadow

{source}
<div id=”imageright”><script type=”text/javascript” src=”http://ap.lijit.com/www/delivery/fpi.js?z=199099&u=dobbersports&width=300&height=250″></script></div>
{/source}

November 2013 – The Wild have placed Granlund on injured reserve with an upper body injury. The 21-year-old could be out for a period of time considering he has taken three hard hits to his head in the past eight games and those are clearly adding up. Granlund took a head shot from Leafs forward Nazem Kadri, then took a hard hit four games later from Ottawa defenseman Marc Methot, capped off by another blow to the head against Phoenix by defenseman Connor Murphy. So far this season Granlund has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 24 games. Jamie Zadow

October 2013 – The Wild have very high hopes for their top prospect, Mikael Granlund, who was a bit of a disappointment as a rookie in the NHL last season recording only eight points in 27 games. So far in 2013, he has three assists in six games. The Wild will be looking for much better production from the 21-year-old who is well seasoned having played in the professional ranks since he was just 17 years of age. He is getting the ice time to start the season and projects to be Minnesota’s number two centre behind captain Mikko Koivu. Granlund possesses great play-making ability and playing alongside a veteran goal scorer in Dany Heatley should help his offensive production. Jamie Zadow

May 2013 – The Wild recalled Granlund from the Houston Aeros (AHL) after an early exit in the Calder Cup Playoffs where he posted two points (one goal, one assist) in the series against Grand Rapids. Granlund was a healthy scratch in Game 3 vs. Chicago. Clayton Bailey

December 2012 – Wild top prospect Mikael Granlund has been sidelined since November 3rd with an ankle njury leaving the Finnish forward at an impressive four goals and 12 points (plus-5) in eight AHL games with the Houston Aeros. Brendan Ross

November 2012 – Houston Aeros first year forward and top Minnesota Wild prospect Mikhail Granlund was named CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month (October) after posting three goals and 10 points, along with a plus-5 rating, in seven games last month. Brendan Ross

May 2012 – Granlund capped off a stellar season by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild, the team that drafted him ninth overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He is expected to make the opening day roster for the upcoming 2012-13 NHL season after leading his HIFK team and Finnish U20 WJC team in scoring with 51 and 11 points respectively.  Granlund was the U20 WJC assist leader for the tournament as well.  The offensive forward posted respectable numbers for the host Finland World Championship team in Spring with five points through 10 games. Brendan Ross

April 2012- Mikael Granlund’s game is reminiscent of a young Igor Larionov and may become an even better player, which is high praise for a 20-year-old. He has world-class skills, creativity and his hockey sense is potentially his best asset. Like Larionov, he is not a blazing fast skater. However, as smaller playmaking centers, they know how to make masterful plays both by slowing down the play and increasing the pace when it is called for. The young Finn is strong on the puck and has shown that he can more than hold his own against both men and his junior peers. There was speculation that Granlund would join the Wild after last season but instead Granlund opted to finish his academic studies and his military service in Finland. Now that those responsibilities are out of the way it appears the last roadblock has been cleared and expect Granlund to jump immediately into a scoring line role for the Wild. Yas Guthe

Fantasy Outlook: A+

He has tremendous all-round offensive upside and is very proven against professional competition. The Wild expect big things from Granlund and fantasy hockey should be no different.

Footage:

Getting to know Mikael Granlund (12/27/12)

{youtube}i7AlLKPZHpw{/youtube}

Granlund showing his fast hands and smooth moves in a shootout at the 2011 Minnesota Wild prospect camp:

{youtube}0YnvJFbX1oY{/youtube}

Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

{source}
<iframe src=”http://www.eliteprospects.com/iframe_player_stats_small.php?player=16037″ width=”100%” height=”670″ scrolling=”no” frameborder=”0″ ></iframe>
{/source}